View source for Lassi

{{short description|Yogurt-based drink from India}}
{{pp|small=yes}} 
{{Other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Lassie|Lasi dialect}}
{{Infobox food
| name = Lassi
| image = Salt lassi.jpg
| caption = A [[carafe]] and glass of lassi
| alternate_name = 
| country = [[Indian subcontinent]]
| national_cuisine = [[Cuisine of Punjab|Punjabi]], [[Cuisine of India|Indian]], [[Cuisine of Pakistan|Pakistani]]
| creator = 
| course = 
| served = Chilled
| main_ingredient = Yogurt, water
| variations = 
| calories = 
| other = 
| alt = A glass of Lassi
| type = Yogurt beverage
}}

'''Lassi''' ({{IPA|hns|ləsːi|pron}}) is a [[Dahi (curd)|yogurt]]–based beverage with a [[smoothie]]-like consistency.<ref name="milk">{{cite book |last=Kurlansky |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Kurlansky |date=2018 |title=Milk! A 10,000-Year Food Fracas |url={{Google books|6htCDwAAQBAJ|page=PA266|plainurl=yes}} |location=New York |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1632863829 |page=266}}</ref><ref name="vijs">{{cite book |last1=Vij |first1=Vikram |author-link1=Vikram Vij |last2=Dhalwala |first2=Meeru |author-link2=Meeru Dhalwala |name-list-style=amp |date=2006 |title=Vij's Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine |url={{Google books|K6HlMjCg9gUC|page=PA191|plainurl=yes}} |location=New York |publisher=Douglas & McIntyre |isbn=978-1553651840 |oclc=865244252 |page=191}}</ref> It has been called "the most popular and traditional yogurt-based drink" in India.<ref name="etiq">{{cite book|last=Shah|first=Niraalee|date= 2021|title=Indian Etiquette: A Glimpse Into India's Culture|url={{Google books|7YdUEAAAQBAJ|page=PT289|plainurl=yes}}|publisher=Notion Press|pages=289}}</ref> It has also been described as the form in which yogurt "is most cherished and unbeatably popular in [...] [[Punjab]]", its "best-loved summer drink", and "the [[air conditioner]] of the Punjab".<ref name="knowledge">{{cite book|last=Semali|first=Ladislaus|date=2002|title=What is Indigenous Knowledge? Voices from the Academy|url={{Google books|XUuAAAAAQBAJ|page=PA173|plainurl=yes}}|publisher=Taylor & Francis|pages=173}}</ref>

Lassi originated in the Punjab region of the [[Indian subcontinent]].<ref name="etiq"/> The word 'lassi' means yogurt mixed with water in [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[Hindustani language|Hindi-Urdu]].<ref name="milk"/><ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|lassi}}</ref>
[[File:Beauty lachchi.webm|thumb|Lassi making in [[Beauty Lachchi]], [[Dhaka]]]]
Lassi is prepared by blending yogurt, water, and spices. In Punjab, the yogurt is traditionally made from [[Water buffalo#Dairy|water buffalo milk]].<ref name = "knowledge"/> However, variations of lassi can be prepared in different ways. [[Cumin]] and [[cardamom]] are the most common spices added to lassi.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Siciliano-Rosen |first=Laura |title=Lassi |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/lassi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206163434/https://www.britannica.com/topic/lassi |archive-date=6 December 2017 |website=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref> Lassi is traditionally served in a clay cup known as ''[[kulhar]]''.<ref name=":0" />

==Varieties==
===Namkin / Namkeen lassi===
Namkin or namkeen (salty) lassi is made by adding [[salt]], [[black pepper]], [[cumin]], and [[sugar]] to the yogurt-water mixture.<ref name="milk"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Vijayakar |first=Sunil |date=2016 |title=Indian Kitchen: Authentic Dishes from India |location=Bath |publisher=Paragon Books |isbn=978-1474815147 |page=217}}</ref>

===Lassi masalewal===
Lassi masalewal (spicy lassi) is made by adding ingredients such as [[almonds]], [[ginger]], [[green chilies]], and [[pistachios]] to namkin lassi.<ref name="milk"/>

===Meethi lassi===
Meethi (sweet) lassi is made by adding [[cardamom]], [[rosewater]], and [[saffron]] to the yogurt-water mixture.<ref name="milk"/><ref name = "etiq"/>

===Bhang lassi===
Bhang lassi is a [[Cannabis edible#Drink|cannabis-infused drink]] that contains [[bhang]], a liquid derivative of [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]], which has effects similar to [[Cannabis edible|other eaten forms of cannabis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/httpmunchies-vice-comarticlesthe-bhang-lassi-is-how-hindus-drink-themselves-high-for-shiva/ |title=The Bhang Lassi Is How Hindus Drink Themselves High for Shiva |author=Staelens, Stefanie |website=Vice.com |date=10 March 2015 |access-date=2017-08-10 |archive-date=2017-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811011827/https://munchies.vice.com/en_us/article/kbx94a/httpmunchies-vice-comarticlesthe-bhang-lassi-is-how-hindus-drink-themselves-high-for-shiva |url-status=live }}</ref> It is legal in many parts of India and mainly sold during [[Holi]], when [[pakora]]s containing bhang are also sometimes eaten. [[Uttar Pradesh]] is known to have licensed bhang shops, and in many places, one can buy bhang products and drink bhang lassis.<ref>Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Collection 2, Episode 5; Final Segment.</ref>

===Others===
Fruits such as [[mangos]] and [[strawberries]] may be added to the yogurt-water mixture to yield, for example, mango lassi and strawberry lassi.<ref name = "milk"/><ref name = "etiq"/>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Fatfreelassi.jpg|Lassi served in a restaurant.
File:Mint lassi.jpg|Mint lassi
File:Bhang lassi (3304878869).jpg|[[Bhang]] lassi
File:Patiyala Lassi.jpg|Lassi served in a brass cup in [[Patiala]] 
File:Banaras-ki-Lassi.jpg|Benaras-ki-lassi, a style of lassi from [[Varanasi]] served in [[kulhar]]
File:Odia style Lassi-Puri-Odisha-IMG 9776.jpg|A style of lassi from [[Odisha]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{cookbook}}
{{Portal|India|Society|Drink|Food}}
* [[Smoothie]]
* [[List of yogurt-based dishes and beverages]]

==References==
<references />

{{Yogurts}}
{{Bangladeshi dishes}}
{{Indian dishes}}

[[Category:Yogurt-based drinks]]
[[Category:Indian drinks]]
[[Category:Pakistani drinks]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Punjabi cuisine]]
[[Category:Indian dairy products]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi dairy products]]