One of the best drinks to cool down in the summer is Lassi, which happens to be the trademark drink of Punjab. Lassi is a drink that showcases the warmth and the hospitality of the people of this region. During summer, cold lassis are a big hit now, across the country and not just in Punjab. Another reason why Lassi is so famous now is that it can be made with a variety of flavors to suit your taste. So, almost everyone can have a drink of their choice, and the underlying ingredient happens to be thick curd or yogurt, which is good for health as well.
Mango Lassi
Summer is also the season when the king of fruits, the mango, makes its appearance, much to the delight of many. So, what can be better than a potent combination than the sweet and tangy mix of the mango and the curd, blended to perfection and served chilled!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup curd/yogurt
- 1 cup diced ripe mangoes
- Sugar as required
- Ice cubes as required
Preparation
Blend all the above ingredients in a mixer jar or use a blender and whisk it smooth. You can serve it immediately or refrigerate it for use later as well.
Strawberry Lassi
One other fruit that is seen often during summer and is a big hit, especially with kids is the strawberry. The tangy-sweet strawberry makes for a perfect lassi partner too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup curd/yogurt
- 1 cup halved ripe strawberries
- Sugar as required
- ¼ teaspoon of cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt
- Ice cubes as required
Preparation
Blend all the above ingredients in a mixer jar or use a blender and whisk it smooth. There should not be any strawberry fragments left over, and at the same time, the texture of that strawberry seed should remain, to give the lassi a special taste. This can be served chilled.
Fruit Punch Lassi
Lassi can be made in combination with many fruits like mango, strawberry, banana, plain with sweet or salt, or with mint and coriander, etc. However, for a punch, you can also make it with a combination of fruits, just like how fruit punches are made.
Ingredients
- 1 cup curd/yogurt
- 1 cup mixed cut fruits (all ripe)
- Sugar as required
- ¼ teaspoon of cardamom powder
- A pinch of salt
- Ice cubes as required
- A pinch of salt
Preparation
First, blend the fruits along with sugar and cardamom powder. You can later combine in the curd in a mixer jar to a smooth texture. Serve the Lassi chilled, and top it with a dash of cream if required.
Buttermilk
Even today, there are many households in different parts of India, which serve chilled buttermilk to their guests during summer. It is considered to be a refreshing and cooling drink that is also very healthy and natural. This drink is also prepared and served with a few different flavors to make it more palatable. This is called by different names like sambhaaram, chaas, moru, etc. Here are a few easy versions that can be tried out.
Masala Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 1 cup curd/yogurt
- 1 green chili (More if you like it spicy)
- A small piece of ginger, cleaned and sliced
- ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves
- One cup of water
- A pinch of salt
- Ice cubes as required
For tempering
- A pinch of asafoetida
- One sprig of curry leaves
- ¼ teaspoon mustard leaves
- ¼ teaspoon oil
Preparation
Blend all ingredients except the tempering ones in a mixer jar, smoothly, till it becomes of buttermilk consistency, and thick like that of Lassi. You can add more water if required, as if the quantity is more, you can refrigerate for later use. Once you get this masala buttermilk ready, please heat oil in a tempering kadai and add mustard seeds and allow it to splutter and then add the curry leaves and the pinch of asafoetida. Serve this chilled as required. This can also be taken after lunch every day in summer.
Cucumber Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 1 cup curd/yogurt
- ½ teaspoon chat masala
- A small piece of ginger, cleaned and sliced
- ½ cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup of water
- ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of pepper powder
- Ice cubes as required
Preparation
First mix the curd, water, and salt into a thick liquid of buttermilk consistency; add water as desired. Now blend in this buttermilk with ginger, ice cubes, and cucumber into a smooth consistency. Add the pepper powder and chat masala and blend again. Garnish the coriander leaves on top and serve chilled.
