{{short description|Yogurt-based drink from the Indian subcontinent}} {{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 | associated_cuisine = Punjabi, Indian, 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 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> The word 'lassi' means yogurt mixed with water in Punjabi and Hindi-Urdu.<ref name="milk"/><ref>{{Cite Dictionary.com|lassi}}</ref>
Lassi is prepared by blending yogurt, water, and spices. In Punjab where the drink originated,<ref name=:0/> the yogurt is traditionally made from water buffalo milk.<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> Variations include the addition of salt, cumin or cardamom.<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" /> In the 21st century, lassi is commonly consumed in many world regions.<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">{{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>
===Bhang lassi=== Bhang lassi is a cannabis-infused drink that contains bhang, a liquid derivative of cannabis, which has effects similar to 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 pakoras containing bhang are also sometimes eaten. Uttar Pradesh is known to have licensed bhang shops, and in many places bhang products and bhang lassi can be bought.<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