Lassi is traditional Indian drink made with yogurt or buttermilk. It can be made sweet or savoury. In the summer months in India this is a sort after drink. Savoury lassi is generally made with buttermilk, salt and spices. Sweet lassi, is made with fruit, yogurt and sweeteners such as jaggery and honey. Most restaurants and food stalls often add white refined sugar. However, if the fruit is ripe and sweet, refined sugar is really not needed. The sugar from the fruit is sufficient to sweeten the drink.
Mango lassi, is the most popular lassi in India , especially during mango season and hot summer months. I recall mango lassi being served as an appetizer, to guest’s who visited my family home in India. I continued this tradition, when I left my family home to live on my own. Till today, I often serve the recipe below as an appetizer to my dinner guests.
In the summer months, I make this recipe for my children when they return from school. The recipe below, does not include any sugar, the only sugar in this drink is naturally occurring from mangoes and only requires 2 ingredients. It’s a good drink to have when you are wanting something substantial. Give this recipe a try and see for yourself.
Making mango lassi in a Vitamix blender makes this drink extra creamy and smooth. This high powered blender really does make a difference when making smoothies like this.
However, if you don’t have a Vitamix blender, then make sure you use extra thick yogurt and cut your mangoes in to smaller cubes.
Vitamix Mango Lassi
Ingredients
- 2 fresh ripe mangoes (use 2 cups frozen mangoes, if you don't have fresh. Make sure they are sweet.
- 2 cups yogurt (coconut or Greek yogurt)
- 4 cubes ice
Instructions
- Peel and chop your mangoes
- Add your mangoes to a blender bowl, along with the yogurt and ice
- Blend on high speed for 30 to 45 seconds
- Pour in glasses and serve. Decorate with pistachio and saffron threads if you have handy