Cool Mango Lassi Recipe

There's no better way to cool off on a hot summer day than with a refreshing mango lassi. This drink is yogurt-based and filling for anyone looking for a great drink to kickstart your morning. Another great part about this refreshing beverage is the fact that both children and adults can enjoy it — trust us, it's a crowd-pleaser.

Recipe developer Jennine Rye came up with this delicious and cool drink that tastes every bit as good as it looks. "I love how quick and simple this recipe is. It's such a cooling, refreshing and delicious drink — perfect for the summertime. So, it's ideal that it's so easy to throw together," Rye raves. And if that's not convincing enough, it also has a ton of great health benefits. "There are some great health benefits to a mango lassi — firstly the fruit, both the mango and lime are packed with nutrients," Rye shares. "The yogurt and the milk provide protein and calcium, as well as great probiotics for the gut. It's definitely very filling." There's nothing better than a refreshing beverage that tastes good and packs a nutritional punch! 

To get things started, you will need to gather the ingredients. Pick up frozen mango chunks, plain yogurt, whole milk, honey, cardamom powder, a lime, and mint to garnish.

Of these ingredients, there's one that adds a special something to the lassi: fresh lime juice. "The secret ingredient in this mango lassi is the lime, which isn't
ordinarily found in a traditional lassi. I love the combination of lime with mango, and it just adds an extra dimension to the drink," Rye explains. "There is just enough lime that it doesn't take center stage; the mango with yogurt is still the predominant flavor. It just lifts the mango taste and makes it shine more."

Grab the mango chunks from the freezer and place them on your counter to cool for about 15 minutes. That is the perfect amount of time to let them soften a little and get them to the perfect temperature for this drink. Then, go ahead and add them to the blender first.

Now, the rest of the lassi ingredients can go into the blender, including the plain yogurt, milk, honey, cardamom powder, and lime juice. Turn the blender on and mix until smooth like a smoothie or shake.

If you've never tasted a mango lassi, boy are you in for a treat. "It tastes delicious! The mango gives a juicy and sweet fruity flavor which is complemented by the tart freshness of the plain yogurt," Rye raves. "The honey adds more sweet warmth, which is brought out more by the warmth and depth of the cardamom spice. The lime adds just enough zingy flavor to make the whole thing pop. It's just a delightful mixture of sweetness, warmth, and tartness!"

Select two serving glasses and portion out the mango lassi into each one. Add a fresh mint leaf for garnish, and voila, that's all you need to do! Be sure to serve straight away, or you can refrigerate for up to 48 hours. 

"This mango lassi is served on its own, or it pairs well with Indian food. It can be eaten alongside an Indian meal as a cooling and refreshing flavor, or afterward as a digestive aid and dessert in one," Rye notes. "Lassi are considered to be great for helping the body digest food and can soothe the digestive system (as long as you don't have a lactose intolerance, of course)." We hope this cools you off and hits the spot.