Mango Lassi

Canned Kesar mango purée is the key to making this bright and floral drink year-round.

By
Sohla El-Waylly

Sohla El-Waylly is a culinary creator, video host, and CIA graduate whose work can be found on Serious Eats, Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food52, YouTube, and more.

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Updated August 07, 2024
Mango lassi in a tall glass with a straw

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Palm sugar syrup sweetens the lassi while adding smoky and nutty flavors.
  • Unsweetened Kesar mango pulp offers the most authentic flavor.

Lassi is the original milkshake that can be found in countless variations throughout India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Making a classic restaurant-style lassi at home is quick and easy. For the most authentic texture, the first step is to start with unstrained yogurt. Greek-style yogurt is too thick for sipping and not tart enough to support the other flavors that join the party.

The next key is to ditch your blender for a whisk. A blender is useful for making any fruit or herb purées that might be added, but blending the lassi together incorporates too much air and breaks up the natural texture of the curd. And, most importantly, serve it up cold—I prefer mine over a generous amount of ice and sipped with a straw.

Canned Kesar mango purée is the key to making this bright and floral drink year-round. It's perfect for sipping in the heat of summer or to bring a little sunny yellow to a cloudy winter day. This lassi is sweetened with a touch of nutty palm sugar syrup and finished with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

February 2018

Recipe Details

Mango Lassi Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Cook 5 mins
Active 30 mins
Total 10 mins
Serves 10 servings
Makes 2 1/2 quarts

Ingredients

For the Palm Sugar Syrup:

  • 225 g palm sugar

For the Lassi:

  • 4 cups yogurt, not strained (32 ounces; 900g)

  • 2 1/2 cups (590mlbuttermilk

  • 2 1/2 cups (590ml) unsweetened Kesar mango purée

  • 1/2 cup (115ml) palm sugar syrup

  • 1 teaspoon (5g) kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight

  • 2 teaspoons (10ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1/2 lime)

Directions

  1. For the Palm Sugar Syrup: In small saucepan, combine palm sugar with 1/2 cup (115ml) water. Over medium heat, simmer palm sugar and water mixture until sugar has just dissolved. Skim off any scum that may have floated to the surface of the syrup. Reserve 1/2 cup (115ml) syrup for the lassi; refrigerate remainder for future use. The syrup will keep indefinitely.

  2. For the Lassi: In large mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, buttermilk, mango purée, palm sugar syrup, kosher salt, and lime juice. Serve immediately over ice. The lassi will keep in the refrigerator for 7 days.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
134Calories
2gFat
23gCarbs
7gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10
Amount per serving
Calories134
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 8mg3%
Sodium 373mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 23g8%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 17mg83%
Calcium 240mg18%
Iron 0mg1%
Potassium 373mg8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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