How to make sweet lassi with just three ingredients: Your guide to quick recipes

Lassi is a North Indian drink where the creamy curd is churned with water and sugar to give a thick creamy sweet drink which has a cooling and rehydrating effect at the same time. The curd is generally made from buffalo milk, which is found in abundance in North India. It is the preferred type of milk over cow milk since the former has increased fat content and is more creamy.

Lassi originated in the north-western region of Punjab and has slowly spread to other parts of India due to its immense popularity. The drink is known to even have mentions in Ayurvedic texts. This underscores the fact that the drink’s benefits were recognized by traditional Indian medicine. Primarily used as a coolant for the proper functioning of the human digestive system, the drink has had its fair share of loyal patrons.

The process of making lassi is simple as we use easily available ingredients depending on the type of lassi that one wants. The lassi may be plain and sweet, salty, or with masala and fruit, blended to add the required flavor, taste and texture to it. Basically, the two main ingredients are curd and water and the third ingredient varies as per one’s taste, flavor and texture of the drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tbsps sugar
• 1/2 cup cold water

Method:

Mixing the curd: The sweet lassi is made by taking the curd in a blender and giving it a good churn. You could also use a bowl if you want to whisk it. The amount of curd will depend on the consistency of your liking.

Churning with water: After this step, enough water is added to make it a smooth, liquid drink. Sugar is added to taste. This is then churned or whisked till the mixture is silky and frothy. Keep repeating this step till the three ingredients have blended thoroughly into one another. This lassi is then poured into a glass and is ready to be consumed.

Adding the ice: Sometimes ice can also be added as the lassi is mostly consumed during peak summer months. One could also add a portion of the creamy fat layer of the curd as a garnish to the lassi. There are many variants as garnishes for the lassi. These are cardamom powder or sliced dry fruits. Sweet syrup may be used instead of sugar in the blend as a sweetener.

Some people prefer salted lassi where the sugar or syrup is replaced by salt as per their taste. Generally in the salted lassi, the garnish is usually done by sprinkling some roasted cumin powder, mint leaves or even crushed dry fruits.

Sweet masala lassi’s ingredients are curd, sugar, water and a choice of masala varying from different spices like cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, and pepper to a mix of various other spices. The whole idea is to make this drink refreshing and flavorful. The sweet masala or spiced lassi has innumerable health benefits due to the spices used. It is not only used for flavor but also rehydrates and refreshes the body along with various health benefits.

Sometimes fruits are blended with the curd and water to give it a fruity flavor and texture. Some popular fruits blended with the lassi are ripe mangoes, pineapples, bananas and watermelon. Fruit syrups are also blended with the curd and water, like grapes, blueberries, strawberries, black currant and pineapple, all depending upon personal preferences. Sometimes sugar is added to the lassi depending on the requirement.

The popularity of the lassi has now spread beyond Indian borders, especially to neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, where it is equally cherished. In fact, the drink’s popularity has also spread to the West. All over the world, at fine-dining restaurants or curbside Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi stalls, you may always chance upon someone churning gallons of the thick, white drink. This humble yet versatile drink continues to evolve, maintaining its cultural significance while adapting to contemporary tastes and preferences.