Only 4 ingredients are needed to make this restaurant-style Salted Lassi. Cumin powder, salt, water + yogurt whipped together to get the perfect restaurant lassi in just 10 minutes
Lassi is a very popular Indian yogurt drink made by mixing yogurt and water. It’s known as namkeen lassi which translates into English as salted lassi. It has tangy and salty flavors that satisfy any thirst.
It takes less than 10 minutes to make this restaurant lassi recipe and it is the most refreshing drink, especially during the hot summer days! In India, this drink is drank almost every day.
The ease of making lassi
Indian recipes don’t get any easier than salty lassi! 4 ingredients are brought together by whisking and bam! You have a heart-healthy drink!
Ten minutes later, you are sitting on your porch with a tall glass of this lassi in one hand and a romantic novel in the other. It has healing properties that will cool you from the inside out.
You could come to my home at 2 am on a Saturday morning and you would see a huge jar of this lassi sitting pretty in the fridge. There is never a time in our home when there is no lassi.
👩🍳 Substitution tip: To make vegan lassi, use unflavored vegan yogurt and add a Tbsp of vegan sour cream for a thicker consistency.
Rising in popularity
So, why is Lassi so popular? Some of the Salted Lassi benefits include cooling effects on the stomach. It also has good bacteria that help “oil” the intestine and the Gastrointestinal tract in general.
Additionally, it acts as a rehydration agent for those who are dehydrated. One glass can make a big difference!
For me, I love salted lassi for its cooling effect. Florida is known for its theme parks, but, it is also known for its unrelenting, overbearing summer heat!
A glass of this lassi after being in the oppressive heat is exactly what I need. It cools me from the inside out! I always drink out of these (affiliate link) mint julep glasses because they are so cool but you can use any serving glass!
Traditionally, the yogurt is whipped using (Affiliate Link) a mathani.
❓ Answering Common Questions
They are very similar, but there are some subtle differences. Curd is not as thick as yogurt and has more of a consistency of lassi. To understand more, check out this article from India Times.
I use whole milk because it produces the best yogurt ever. Making yogurt is as easy as boiling 2 cups of milk, and letting it cool to room temperature. Whisk a ½ teaspoon of full-fat yogurt, cover, and let it stay overnight.
Yes, it’s very easy. The Foodie Affair shows you how to make yogurt in the Instant Pot.
No, sweet lassi has a sweet taste. It’s made with a sweetener like sugar, powdered sugar, or honey. Namkeen lassi uses salt.
If you can find roasted and ground cumin powder, use that. Or, you can dry roast cumin seeds at home (see recipe below). Regular cumin powder is easy to find on (Affiliate Link) Amazon and grocery stores in the spices aisle.
🍅 Handy Tip: Always use whole milk yogurt to make lassi. It gives a thicker texture. Whole milk is also less processed than all other milk types.
Instructions to make cumin powder
You can also add a freshly roasted cumin powder to add to this lassi. It’s easy to make.
- Heat a small skillet pan at medium heat.
- Add 2 Tbsp of cumin seeds.
- Roast for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly so that it doesn’t burn.
- Let it cool for a minute.
- Place the roasted cumin in a coffee grinder (a wooden churner or spice-grinder will work too) and grind it up to a fine powder. Alternatively, you can use a mortar and pestle to grind them yourself.
👩🍳 Substitution tip: Can find cumin powder? It’s easy to make it at home. Roast cumin for 2 minutes and then coffee grind them or use a mortar and pestle.
How to make salted lassi
- Traditionally, lassi is made in (Affiliate Link) steel pavalis, but you can use a glass bowl. Put the yogurt in it.
- Add the salt, cumin powder, and 1 cup water to the yogurt.
- Use a hand blender to gently blend this ingredients.
- Add the remaining 2 cups of cold water to the lassi and use a wired whisk to mix it all up. This will add a frothy top.
- Pour it into a serving glass or mint julep glasses and serve. To make it colder, add ice cubes.
What to serve with lassi?
Lassi is a drink that is had with any meal. Many households even have it at breakfast. I always serve it with peanut rice and basmati rice.
It goes so great with main course meals like Bombay potatoes, Palak makhani, and bhindi aloo. If Indian food is too spicy, Lassi takes away most of the heat.
Of course, lassi is not complete without kachumber on the side.
Want a variation of the salty lassi? Try a watermelon lassi, mango lassi, or strawberry lassi
Substitions and additions
- Use rose water instead of salt for a more aromatic lassi drink.
- Use kala namak (black salt) instead of regular salt.
- Saffron will add a nice color to the lassi.
- Garnish with cilantro (AKA coriander leaves) or fresh mint leaves.
- Black pepper to add a little kick.
- Cardamom, chaat masala, ground ginger, and/or garam masala to make masala lassi.
More drink recipes to try
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Salted Lassi Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups yogurt Use plain, whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tbsp cumin powder (roasted cumin powder is better)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- In a bowl, add the yogurt
- Add the salt and cumin powder
- Mix with a spoon
- Add the water to the bowl
- Using a whisk or hand blender, mix the ingredients on low speed
- Mix until it is frothy
- Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate for up to 1 hour
If you need to serve immediately, add ice cubes
Nutrition
Version 1 of this recipe
Did you do a double-take? Occasionally, I will revisit previous recipes and do a makeover on them. You probably came to this page based on this photo. It was made with vegan mayo. However, I decided to re-vamp the recipe and bring you the new version you see above. I think you will like it.
Pin image:
Loved your sweet lassi recipes and look forward to trying this.
That’s really amazing! I think it’s so easy to prepare which makes it perfect especially during the summer. I love yogurt and I don’t mind giving this a try!
Thank you, Carol. I am so happy to hear from you.
I love lassi, especially mango but I’ve never actually tried making one. But after yours I have a good excuse to make one for myself. Yum!
Thank you, Jennifer. I Love mango lassi too
I can see how this drink could benefit everyone during the hot summer months when we sweat a lot. I have to work at keeping drinks handy for the kids too so they don’t get dehydrated while playing their sports. I need to make a batch of this to take to their next game.
Thank you, Terri. Its a challenge to keep kids hydrated in the summer. I am so glad you like this drink.
I never heard of this and I love Indian food! Time to try this out.
I love Indian food and often I will order these lassi drinks! I’ve never thought to make it on my own though!
Thank you, Karissa
I have never tried a Lassi! I think I may have to though. It does seem quite easy to make.
I have never heard of lassi, but will have to try your recipe. Looks like a unique recipe, thanks so much for sharing.
Lassi is not something I have heard of before nor tried but I am quite curious right now. Thanks for the recipe
I love lassis on warm summer days! Typically I add fruit to mine, but am excited to give yours a try as well. With only a few ingredients that I typically have on hand, I’m sure it’s going to be easy to make, as well as delicious!
Thank you, Ali. I love adding mangoes to lassi. So refreshing in the summer
I tried a Mango Lassi for the first time and loved it. I can’t wait to try your version!
Thank you, Sandi. Mango Lassi is my second favorite lassi!
I have to admit I don’t think I’ve had salted lassi before, but if it is good for cooling the stomach and rehydrating it is definitely something I am open to trying.
This drink looks really good. I am not sure what the cumin would taste like so I need to try it and see.
This sounds really interesting I have heard of it before. I also love that you make your own yogurt to use in it.
I never taste it before. But this looks like a delicious drink at breakfast.
I am all about simple recipes with minimal ingredients! This Salted Lassi sounds absolutely delightful!
What an interesting drink. Does the cumin make it spice?
Thank you, Tara. I don’t think so, but, I have also come to realize that people have different levels of spice tolerance. I think you can add just half of the amount and see how you like it. It shouldn’t be too spicy.
Mmmmm! It sounds so refreshing! Here it’s 9:30 at night and still 103 eek! I think I need to get busy and get this in the fridge, it sounds deliscious! Also I love the idea of roasting the cumin too, I’m sure that brings out a ton of flavor. My friend Michelle ships me cumin from New Mexico because it’s so amazing. Maybe that’s why?
Thank you, Debra. The heat is just as bad here in Florida. I make sure I always have a cool, refreshing drink in the fridge. New Mexico makes cumin powders. I think Southwestern cuisine tastes amazing with their homemade cumin.
Lovely post Rini. We seem to share love for lassi.
Our breakfast is not complete without Lassi/ chcach. It has a cooling effect on stomach. We add pudina powder also to it.
Thank you, Nidhi. We love Chash around here
Just love the name. Slaty Lassi. Sounds like a fun date! LOL
Thank you, Peter. I see what you did there. “Slaty” instead of “Salty”, HAHA. Yes, definitely sounds like an interesting date.