The Rose Cardamom Lassi is a delightfully refreshing drink that marries the delicate sweetness of rose with warm, earthy cardamom, and the welcome tang of yogurt. The combination is heavenly! This lassi balances sweet and sour flavors with an alluring floral essence like fresh roses dipped in sugar. With just a handful of ingredients and a quick whirl in the blender, you’re moments away from the prettiest and most perfect chilled beverage.
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The Rose-Cardamom Lassi manages to feel cool, fresh, and cozy all at once. A pinch of salt is essential in complementing the sweetness of the lassi and helps enhance the taste of each component. It’s hard to imagine how something so wonderful can be so simple!
What is Lassi
Lassi is a cooling, super satisfying yogurt (or curd) based drink, churned and served chilled. It can be enjoyed on its own or with an Indian meal as it compliments the spicy flavors. Lassi can also be sweet or savory. In the states, everyone knows the uber-popular Mango Lassi, but there are so many versions to enjoy from plain yogurt and sugar mixed with fruit, or simply blended with fresh mint. The Cardamom Lassi is a classic and delicious Indian refreshment.
Benefits of Drinking Lassi
Lassi may taste like a treat, but it’s one that comes with health benefits! The yogurt in the lassi is full of probiotics that promote gut health, help digestion, and boost the immune system. It also provides protein and Vitamin-D, along with the beneficial properties of any additional fruits, herbs, or spices. Lassi is so refreshing and feels like a delicious dip in a cool lake, especially on a hot day or after a spicy meal.
Ingredients, Tips and Substitutions
- Plain full-fat yogurt is traditionally used to make the creamiest lassi. You may substitute with low-fat yogurt for a lighter version.
- To make Vegan lassi, use coconut yogurt or cashew yogurt and a squeeze of lemon to replace the tang from whole milk yogurt.
- Fage lactose-free yogurt is another good option if you can have dairy but are sensitive to lactose.
- Add more or less ice cubes to make the lassi texture thick or thin
- Guru Brand Rose Syrup is the best one I have found. You can also use Rooh Afza.
- Rose syrup can be substituted with rose water or rose essence. The lassi color will be white but still flavorful. You will have to add sugar to taste.
- Ground cardamom makes the lassi smooth and adds a delightful floral aroma to the lassi. You can also add green cardamom pods instead just make sure to use a high speed blender that will blend it smooth
- Adding salt compliments the sweetness of lassi.
How to make Rose Cardamom Lassi
- Add yogurt, rose syrup, cardamom, salt, and ice cubes to a blender jar
- Blend until smooth for about 1 minute
- Pour in glass cups. Garnish with rose petals. Serve Immediately!
How to Serve
I love to welcome my guests with a special refreshment. Rose Lassi is a favorite among family and friends. The darling pink color and decadent first sip lead everyone to sigh with pleasure, instantly relaxing.
The Rose Lassi is perfect for easy entertaining–a welcome treat for special occasions like festive brunches, bridal showers, baby showers, Mother’s Day, Father's Day, Valentine’s Day, Summer cook-outs, girls’ nights, graduation parties, and more! But it can also make any day, any moment or any meal feel special.
Looking for More Unique and Refreshing Drinks? Try:
Note on Rose Syrup
Guru Brand Rose Syrup is hands down the best rose syrup I have found. Of course, I wish I had the precious homemade rose syrups my mom would make in India. But this is a close second. If you’re not convinced about trying a rose-flavored lassi, you must taste this one. There is nothing perfumy, saccharine, or artificial-tasting about this syrup. It captures the simple sweet floral essence of roses and nothing more. The bottle also lasts a while!
Variations
- Salty Lassi - Add yogurt, ice and some salt for a refreshing lassi
- Experiment with your favorite seasonal fruits, fresh herbs, and spices!
- Spice alone can make a wonderfully simple lassi. Try cardamom for a classic Indian refreshment.
Recipe
Rose Cardamom Lassi
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons rose syrup
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 ice cubes
Optional Garnish
- 1 teaspoon edible dried rose petals
Instructions
- Add yogurt, rose syrup, cardamom, salt and ice cubes to a blender jar
- Blend until smooth for about 1 minute
- Pour in glass cups. Garnish with rose petals. Serve.
Video
Notes
- Plain full-fat yogurt is traditionally used to make the creamiest lassi. You may substitute with low-fat yogurt for a lighter version.
- To make Vegan lassi, use coconut yogurt or cashew yogurt and a squeeze of lemon to replace the tang from whole milk yogurt.
- Fage lactose-free yogurt is another good option if you can have dairy but are sensitive to lactose.
- Add more or less ice cubes to make the lassi texture thick or thin
- Guru Brand Rose Syrup is the best one I have found. You can also use Rooh Afza.
- Rose syrup can be substituted with rose water or rose essence. The lassi color will be white but still flavorful. You will have to add sugar to taste.
- Ground cardamom makes the lassi smooth and adds a delightful floral aroma to the lassi. You can also add green cardamom pods instead just make sure to use a high-speed blender that will blend it smooth
- Adding salt compliments the sweetness of lassi.
Harsha says
I made this today and it was so refreshing and delicious!! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Archana says
Thank you for the feedback!
Shalini says
Hi Archana,
I made this recipe for guests the other day.. I did add a bit more sugar than the recipe called for ..it came out refreshing and delicious. Thank you for sharing it.
Archana says
You are most welcome!