Learn How to Make Mango Lassi.
Mango Lassi is a refreshing blend of sweet mangoes, yogurt, milk, with a touch of cardamom and topped with pistachio, mango and mint leaves.
This creamy drink is best when chilled before serving.
If you love Mango Lassi, I'm sure you will also like my Tropical Mango Smoothie. Try it as well!
It is not necessary to top it with anything but for added flavor and texture you may do so.
If you love mangoes, this is the best time to enjoy this delicious drink while fresh sweet mangoes are in season. Mango flavor can range from intense to bland.
A ripe mango is sweet with intense aroma but that is not always the case, some are notoriously fibrous too.
Ataulfo mangoes are available here in the US and the closest type similar to Philippine mango. It is actually a descendant of the Philippine mangoes but in my opinion Philippine mangoes are way better than ataulfo.
India has their famous mango called Alphonso but I don’t think it has made it’s way in the US market either. I would love to try it.
The other type of mango sold here in the US is the Tommy Atkins which I have more luck when it comes to sweetness.
I usually buy a couple of boxes of mangoes at a time but sometimes I refrain from buying bulk especially if I don’t smell it. I swear, I trust my nose when it comes to fruit’s sweetness.
But with our current situation, it is quite hard to smell anything when wearing a face covering. Anyway, after tasting a few and they are sweet, I am quick to go back to the store and get 10 or more pieces.
We love mangoes and if we are back to the Philippines we have it as often as we can have it.
Anyway, when I visit a friend in Colorado Springs I am looking forward to visiting The Sherpa Garden that serves Indian, Nepali and Tibetan cuisine. She raves about the restaurant and frequented by many locals. She said, I will love many of their entrée and the different lassis.
What is Mango Lassi?
Mango Lassi is India’s version of mango smoothie. It is a popular traditional drink in India that is yogurt based and flavored with spices like cardamon, cumin, turmeric and more.
How to Choose Mango for Mango Lassi
Choose ripe mangoes. They are soft but firm. I prefer to use mangoes with a slightly wrinkled skin as they are very ripe. If you live here in the US, you can use Ataulfo or Tommy Atkins.
Ataulfo mangoes are golden yellow when ripe while Tommy Atkins are red or a mix of red and yellow in color. Select mangoes that are firm, not bruised and does not have dark (black) spots.
If mangoes are very sweet, then you can get by with very little sugar. A sweet mango is rich in flavor and great in cold beverages.
Leave mangoes at the kitchen counter for a few days if they are not ripe enough.
How to Cut Mango?
Some people have never had mangoes at home but occasionally order mango beverages at a restaurant. It can be intimidating to slice a mango for the first time.
A mango has a long pit at the center that varies in thickness. The top of mango is where it was hanging from the tree. When I slice a mango I am holding it, but for someone who has never done it, it is better to have the lower part of the mango sit on a cutting board or plate.
Take a sharp narrow (not wide) knife and insert it just above the area where it was hanging from tree. Run the knife down, adjusting to the angle of the pit. Do the same thing on the other side. Now you have two oval slices of fruit.
Peel the skin on the pit using your fingers then cut around the pit to trim the remaining flesh. Discard pit.
Scoop out the flesh using a spoon or the other way to do it is run the knife in a criss-cross pattern, not cutting through the skin, then scoop the flesh. Discard peel.
Tips on How to Make Mango Lassi
Take ½ of mango pieces and place it in the freezer. Once frozen, it is ready to use. Instead of using more ice, you can freeze some of the mango.
Place the remaining sliced mangoes in the fridge.
I use milk instead of water. Mango drink is creamier, richer and tastier especially if mango is not too sweet.
Plain or Greek yogurt can be used. Greek yogurt is thicker than regular one so you might need to add a little bit more milk or water.
Depending on your preference, this mango drink can be thin or thick. I prefer it thick and creamy.
When placing all the ingredients in the blender, put the frozen mangoes and ice (if adding) on top.
During hot summer days, it nice to have a very cold drink. Consider placing your glasses in the fridge 2 hours before serving .
For added flavor and texture, top your lassi with pistachio, saffron, mangoes, mint leaves or spices.
Mango Lassi Ingredients
This mango lassi recipe calls for ripe mangoes, yogurt, milk, sugar and cardamon. Drink is topped with mango, pistachios and mint leaves.
Other variations of lassi are salty or sweet using other spices and fruit juices.
Try Other Delicious Mango Recipes
Recipe
How to Make Mango Lassi
Ingredients
- 4-5 ripe mangoes or 3 cups mango flesh
- 1.5 cups milk or 1 can 12 oz evaporated milk
- 1 ¼ cup plain yogurt or 1 cup Greek yogurt
- sugar to taste mangoes varies in sweetness
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
Garnish
- pistachios
- mango
- mint leaves
Instructions
- Scoop out mango flesh. Freeze half of the mango flesh and place the remaining mangoes in the fridge.
- Chill the glasses for about 2 hours in the fridge. (optional)
- Combine milk, yogurt, mango, sugar and cardamon in blender until smooth. Note: Have the frozen mango and ice (if adding) on top of blender. It would be easier for your blender when you have more liquid at the bottom.
- Use the smoothie program in your blender otherwise just pulse it until drink is smooth and creamy.
- Pour drink in chilled glasses then top with pistachios, mango and mint leaves.
- Or place blender in the fridge for ½ an hour before serving drinks.
Notes
- If drink is too thick, I prefer to add more milk or mango juice than water.
- Add sugar depending on your liking. If mangoes are too sweet sometimes you don't even need sugar. But if not sweet, add about a couple of tablespoons.
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