This Watermelon Lassi is a twist on the traditional Sweet Lassi. I made it with fresh watermelon, cardamom and cumin. Cool and refreshing lassi that is ready in 5 min

Lassi is a family favorite summer drink for us. Nothing fights the harsh triple digit temperatures better than a cool lassi drink

If you order sweet lassi at Indian restaurants, keep reading below. I am going to show you how to make this sweet lassi at home in under 5 min!

Of all the Indian food recipes, this is the easiest to make and say.

Front view of 3 small glasses filled with watermelon lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

Tips for making this lassi

  • Use fresh watermelon that is on the sweeter side
  • Make sure the watermelon is cold because you won’t have to use ice cubes
  • Save some of the juice from the watermelon as you are making pieces for the blender
  • If you can get seedless watermelon, use that instead
  • Use plain yogurt only. If you want to use flavored, then use non other than vanilla flavored yogurt. Other flavors will compete with the watermelon’s distinct taste
  • Use cardamom pods instead of cardamom powder. Remove the seeds from the pod
  • The amount of agave you put into this recipe will depend on the sweetness level of your watermelon. So, adjust it to taste
  • Save the cardamom pods to put in soups, curries or Indian chai
  • Serve immediately after making it
  • You can serve this watermelon lassi it by itself or serve it in 2 layers of yogurt + watermelon, like I did
Overhead view of 3 small glasses filled with watermelon sweet lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

Vegan watermelon lassi

This watermelon lassi is vegetarian because I used regular yogurt. This was not my first choice, but, I had no other options.

I have bellyached about how hard it is to find plain vegan yogurt in my area. In the past, I have gone to 7 different grocery / big box stores and none of them carried it.

Front view of 3 small glasses filled with watermelon lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

Its frustrating for me, but, if you can find plain vegan yogurt, please use that instead. The rest of the ingredients in this watermelon lassi are vegan friendly, so, you can follow the rest of the recipe as written

If you are confused about what is vegan and what is vegetarian, I have created a helpful vegan guide that talks about it all. If you have more questions, please feel free to comment below

Front view of 1 small glass filled with watermelon sweet lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

Salted vs sweet lassi

When you go to Indian restaurant, they always ask you if you want sweet lassi or salted lassi. I always see people order sweet lassi and it always surprises me

You see, growing up we always made the salted lassi (get my salted recipe for it by clicking here). I had never heard of sweet lassi until pretty late in my teens. It was a foreign recipe concept for me.

So, what is the difference between salted lassi and sweet lassi. Its exactly like the name sounds. Sweet lassi is made with honey and yogurt while salted lassi is made with salt and yogurt

How do you make plain lassi? The traditional lassi recipes was always made with just 3 ingredients:

  • Yogurt
  • Water
  • Salt or Honey
Front view of 1 small glasses filled with watermelon lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

Over generations, people started adding cumin-coriander powder which is my favorite ingredient of lassi. Along with the yogurt, cumin powder is very good to the gut

So, are you a sweet lassi fan or a salted lassi fan?

Buttermilk vs lassi

Buttermilk is so much similar to lassi in many ways. They have the same texutre and ingredients

Buttermilk, however, is made from sour milk. However, lassi is made from full fat yogurt.

Lassi also includes spices which buttermilk doesn’t have. I have always wanted to try adding cumin or cardamom to buttermilk. Have you tried it and what do you think?

Buttermilk is often used in cooking and baking recipes. Lassi, on the other hand, is often consumed by itself.

I am one of those few people who can drink buttermilk plain. Weird, I know, but, it does taste good to me.

Front view of 1 small glass filled with watermelon sweet lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

Health benefits

  • Sweet lassi and salted lassi have a very cooling effect on the body
  • Its a good thirst quencher and better than sports drinks, I think. There are no added sugars or refined sugars in lassi.
  • On a hot summer day, a cool watermelon lassi drink is a good drink to have. Its so much more delicious when the sun is blaring down
  • Its very quick to make. Most lassi recipes take less than 5 min to make which makes my life easier
  • Lassi is also good for those with gut issues. The bacteria in yogurt have been known to help with the good bacteria. I am not a health professional, so, don’t take this as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for more information

Common questions

Can I use fat free yogurt in this watermelon lassi recipe?

No, I don’t recommend using any other yogurt. Full Fat yogurt is the best yogurt for making lassi.
Fat free, low fat, non-fat yogurt will make make this a very watery lassi recipe

How do you pronounce lassi?

Lassi is 2 syllables long – “La” and “ssi”
“La” is pronounced just like “lo” in love. (LAH)
“SSI” is pronounced like the word, “see”.
So, its pronounced LAH-SEE!

What does Lassi taste like?

Lassi can be sweet, salty or tangy. Sometimes, it has no flavors at all when its made just with yogurt and water
Watermelon lassi has a sweetness and a slight tang to it.Front view of 3 small glasses filled with watermelon lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

What can I use instead of Agave

You can use honey, simple syrup, sugar or even maple syrup.
I used agave because I don’t use honey anymore. Agave is very similar to honey in taste and viscosity. The only difference is that agave comes from plants

Can I freeze Lassi?

Freeze lassi in ice cubes only. Pour the sweet or salty lassi in ice cube trays
Then, use it in smoothies, milk, or use it as ice cubes in other lassi recipes

6. What to serve watermelon lassi with?

Kachumber
Potatoes Curry
Roasted Chickpeas
Saffron rice
Palak Makhani

Lassi is best as an appetizer or a dessert. But, you can eat it along side meals too.

Overhead and closeup view of 1 small glasses filled with watermelon sweet lassi

I made this watermelon lassi recipe as a way to combat some of the recent triple digit temperatures we have experienced here in Florida. Just like my beet lemonade, fruit infused drinks and my frozen hot chocolate, this is one more recipe that will help you combat super hot temperatures.

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Front view of 1 small glass filled with watermelon lassi and a yogurt layer at the bottom

Watermelon Lassi

Rini
Cool and refreshing sweet watermelon lassi made with yogurt
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2 people
Calories 174 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Melon Baller

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cup watermelon sweet, roughly chopped and cold
  • 1/2 cup yogurt use plain full fat yogurt or vegan yogurt
  • 3 Tbsp agave adjust based on the sweetness of your yogurt
  • 3 pods cardamom remove the pods and use the seeds only
  • 1/8 tsp cumin-coriander powder
  • 2 Tbsp watermelon juice see notes
  • 1 Tbsp pistachios roughly chopped, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place all the ingredients in a blender
  • Blend on low speed until all is blended well
  • Top with pistachios
  • Serve Immediately

Video

Notes

– Nutrition Info is approximate
– Save some watermelon juice while you are cutting it and to use in this recipe.  Can be substituted with water
– Use watermelon that was refrigerated because you won’t have to use ice

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal
Keyword how to make sweet lassi, what is lassi
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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10 Comments

  1. I love how refrshing this is! If I wanted to spike this and turn it into a cocktail, what liquor would you suggest?

  2. Wow this looks so bright and refreshing I can’t wait to try this yummy sip. Perfect for summer. Thank gou

  3. I didn’t know there were two variations to a lassi. I tend to lean towards the sweet flavors! My sweet tooth is out of control, but this watermelon lassi is so nutritious! Yes, so glad you make it clear to use full-fat yogurt. It makes a difference in the texture for sure. Perfect for a warm summer day….by the pool.