If you’re craving a drink that’s both creamy and fruity with an exotic twist, then you’re going to *love* this Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe. It’s cool, delicious, and super easy to whip up—perfect for hot days or anytime you want a little taste of sunshine in a glass. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to make it your go-to mango drink all year round!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple: It comes together in just minutes with ingredients you likely already have or can easily find.
- Naturally Refreshing: The blend of mango, yogurt, and cardamom is incredibly soothing and cool on a warm day.
- Versatile and Customizable: Whether you want it thicker, sweeter, or dairy-free, there’s a way to make it fit your taste perfectly.
- Healthy & Creamy: Packed with probiotics and the natural sweetness of mango, you get a treat that feels indulgent but is good for you.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe plays a key role to create a perfectly balanced, creamy, and flavorful drink. Here’s a quick rundown to help you understand why, and some tips for picking the best ingredients!
- Plain Yogurt: This is the base of your lassi—choosing a creamy, good-quality yogurt makes a huge difference in texture and tanginess.
- Milk: Used to loosen the yogurt and mango mix; whole milk adds creaminess, but you can swap with plant milk if you prefer.
- Frozen Mangos: Frozen ones are best for texture and convenience—no peeling or chopping, and they add natural sweetness.
- Honey: Adds a gentle, floral sweetness that complements mango without overwhelming it.
- Cardamom: A small pinch adds an aromatic, subtly spicy hint that elevates the whole drink.
Make It Your Way
I love playing with this Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe to match whatever mood I’m in or what I have on hand, and you should absolutely do the same! It’s forgiving and flexible enough to accommodate your personal cravings or dietary needs.
- Variation: When I want it extra thick and frosty, I add some ice cubes before blending — it feels like sipping a creamy fruit slushie!
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap the yogurt and milk for coconut yogurt and almond milk, and your lassi is instantly vegan-friendly without losing that luscious texture.
- Extra Spice: Sometimes I sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg alongside cardamom to deepen the warm spice notes.
- Boost the Sweetness: If your mangos aren’t very sweet, adding a splash of orange juice or a bit more honey always brightens it up nicely.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Prep Your Blender
Start by pulling all your ingredients together—plain yogurt, milk, frozen mangos, honey, and cardamom. I like to use a high-powered blender for the smoothest texture. Make sure your mango chunks are frozen solid; it really makes the lassi refreshingly cool without watering it down.
Step 2: Blend It All Up
Into the blender goes the yogurt, milk, frozen mango, honey, and just a pinch of cardamom. Blend everything on high for about one minute until it turns silky smooth. If the mixture looks too thick to you, add a bit more milk gradually and blend again until it’s just right.
Step 3: Taste and Adjust
This is the fun part! Give your lassi a quick taste—if it’s too tangy, stir in a little extra honey. If you want it creamier or thinner, adjust by adding more yogurt or milk. I find this step crucial because every batch of mango can vary in sweetness and firmness.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Pour your mango lassi into chilled glasses. Sometimes I add a few ice cubes or even a sprig of mint for a touch of freshness. Grab a straw, sit back, and enjoy the luscious taste of this drink that always makes me feel like I’m on a mini tropical escape!
Pro Tips for Making Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe
- Use Ripe Mangos: Even though frozen mangos are convenient, start with ripe ones before freezing to ensure maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Don’t Overdo the Cardamom: A little goes a long way—too much can overpower the mango, so stick to a small pinch unless you really love the spice.
- Adjust Thickness on Demand: Adding ice is my favorite hack when I want a slushier, more refreshing texture especially on hot summer afternoons.
- Sweetness Balance: Taste before adding honey—depending on your mango’s natural sweetness, you might not need much (or any) extra sweetener.
How to Serve Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I usually keep it simple with a sprinkle of ground cardamom or a little chopped pistachio—for a tiny crunch and nuttiness. Sometimes a fresh mint sprig or a thin slice of mango on the rim adds a colorful, fancy touch that impresses guests without any extra hassle.
Side Dishes
This mango lassi pairs fantastically with spicy dishes—I love serving it alongside Indian favorites like chicken tikka masala or samosas. It’s also a perfect palate cleanser after a curry-heavy meal, balancing the heat and flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve poured mango lassi into elegant glasses or small mason jars, layered with a drizzle of rose syrup or a swirl of pomegranate seeds at the bottom. It looks gorgeous and adds a surprising pop of flavor that guests always rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (though rare in my house), transfer the mango lassi to an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 24 hours but tends to separate a bit, so just give it a good stir before drinking.
Freezing
I don’t usually freeze prepared mango lassi because texture changes can happen, but I do freeze extra mango chunks in advance to always have them on hand for a fresh blender batch whenever the mood strikes.
Reheating
This recipe is meant to be served cold, so reheating isn’t usually recommended. If you want a warm spiced drink, I’d suggest warming milk with cardamom and honey on the stove separately instead.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh mango instead of frozen for the Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe?
Absolutely! Fresh mango works beautifully. Just be sure to add a handful of ice cubes or chill your drink well after blending to keep that refreshing cold temperature typically delivered by frozen mango chunks.
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Is this Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe vegan-friendly?
You can make it vegan by swapping the plain yogurt for a plant-based alternative like coconut or almond yogurt, and the milk for any plant milk. The flavor might be slightly different but still delicious and creamy.
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How do I make my mango lassi less tangy?
If the lassi tastes too tangy, simply add a bit more honey or a sweetener you prefer, blending again to mix well. Using sweeter mangoes or less yogurt can also help balance the sour notes.
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Can I prepare mango lassi in advance?
Yes, you can prepare it a few hours ahead and keep it chilled. Just stir or blend it again before serving to bring back the creamy texture if it separates.
Final Thoughts
This Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe has become a little ritual for me during warm afternoons and whenever I want to impress friends with something simple but fabulous. It’s one of those rare recipes that feels fancy without any fuss, and every sip is a juicy burst of happiness. I encourage you to try it out, your kitchen will thank you, and you might just find your new favorite drink.
Print
Refreshing Mango Lassi Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and creamy Mango Lassi made with yogurt, frozen mangoes, and a hint of cardamom, perfect for a cool and healthy drink.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cups frozen mangoes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the yogurt, milk, frozen mangoes, honey, and cardamom into a high-powered blender.
- Blend Smoothly: Blend at high speed for about 1 minute until you get a smooth silky texture.
- Adjust Consistency: If the mango lassi is too thick, add more milk and blend until you reach the desired thickness. Alternatively, add ice cubes if you prefer it thicker and colder.
- Taste and Serve: Taste the lassi and add additional honey if it’s too tangy for your liking. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use full-fat yogurt for a richer and creamier lassi.
- Frozen mangoes help to chill the drink without watering it down like ice cubes.
- Cardamom adds a fragrant and authentic flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- For a vegan version, substitute yogurt and milk with coconut or almond milk yogurt and plant-based milk.
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors if desired.
