Easy and Vegan Homemade Mango Lassi Recipe

This is a classic, easy and vegan mango lassi recipe that contains the right amount of sweetness and is also super refreshing (the hint of lime makes it a delicious recipe). This mango lassi recipe is without sugar and instead we focus on enhancing the natural sweetness of the mangoes. Whether you’re using oat milk, coconut milk or another type of yoghurt, this is a delicious summer drink to cool you down. 

Why this recipe is a star?

Mango lassi sells itself to be honest with you, but if you did need some convincing on why to make this recipe, then the below are some points on why I absolutely love it.

• Refreshing: Everyone likes their mango lassi differently but I like a lassi for a good summer drink. That means it needs the following essential flavour elements: sweet, refreshing, cold, and thick (in a relative amount, not too thick). I use lime to add in that fresh element and it makes a huge difference.
• Mango lassi is not complicated to make: This is a very easy recipe, using only seven ingredients (including the mango, yoghurt and cream). This recipe, optionally, calls for topping off with pistachio and saffron which are the perfect additions to impressing your guests (or yourself!) at home.
• Healthy mango lassi recipe / Vegan mango lassi: This mango lassi recipe is without sugar, we focus instead on enhancing the natural sweetness of the mango. The sugar is therefore optional! This is also a vegan mango lassi recipe, so perfect for my lacto free crowd!

If you’re looking for other iced drinks my iced chai latte or my iced chai are perfect recipes for the summer.

What is mango lassi and mango lassi origins?

The traditional mango lassi is a mango yoghurt drink that is thick in nature, originating from northwestern India. It is sweet, refreshing, cold and all around delicious.

I would call the mango lassi, the original lassi and the father of all lassis. Anyone that has fallen in love with lassis has probably tried the mango lassi first!

We now have a whole host of lassis that are now popular in their own right. The rose cardamom lassi (popularised by dishoom), has a special place in my heart for example.

Lassis are not all sweet, spicy lassis for example are mostly bitter or sour.

Mango lassi health benefits?

Mango lassi is simply just mango, milk and yoghurt blended together. All of these ingredients have health benefits in their own right.

For example, the yoghurt alone is full of probiotics and healthy bacteria and therefore excellent for anyone who is looking to improve their gut health.

Mangoes themselves are full of fibre and acts as one of your five a day, so also great for anyone looking to increase their fruit and veg intake!

All of the ingredients, especially if you are making the non-dairy version, are low in calories and so a really good low calorie dessert, if you are dieting. 

Mango lassi vs mango shake?

A mango lassi is focused on the creamy yoghurt element of the drink, whereas a mango milkshake might use an ice cream base to get that thick consistency. The two are not the same.

Mango lassi ingredients?

• 1 mango (or mango pulp): The question of whether Indian or Pakistani Mangos are better is hotly contested. Without taking sides, I absolutely love both but if I had to pick one for their sweetness then Pakistani mangoes win. If you are looking to skip the sugar, I would highly recommend seeking out Pakistani mangoes, if you can find them. Indian mangoes are also super sweet too so either way the recipe will be great with either or (Pakistani mangoes are just sweeter!). This recipe uses fresh mango, but note that mango pulp will be fine too, especially if you can’t access sweet mangoes around you!
• Half cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy): I used oat milk as I wanted to make a lighter version of this drink. The traditional version of this recipe uses cows milk, but trust me, you are not missing out on any elements of the traditional recipe by using a creamy milk such as oat milk.
• Two table spoons of yoghurt (Greek style, dairy or non-dairy): I used Greek style yoghurt, but have tested this recipe with alpro yoghurt and it is still excellent. Feel free to experiment with coconut yoghurts, especially if you are looking to add different elements of sweetness to this recipe.
• Two tablespoons cream (optional): This adds a decadence to your lassi recipe, but totally optional. You can use dairy or non dairy cream.
• Squeeze of lime juice (slice of lime): I would argue that this ingredient is essential and not sure why more people don’t add a squeeze of either lemon or lime. It adds a noticeable but subtle refreshing element to the drink, one that’s ordinarily missed in mango lassi. In my opinion, adding the lime makes this a very excellent summer drink.
• Handful of chopped pistachios (optional): Optional but highly recommended. This adds texture to your drink and also the topping makes the lassi look very pretty.
• A few strands of saffron (optional): Again, optional but highly recommended. When you top the lassi with saffron and leave it to sit, the saffron releases a lovely flavour (and yellow colour) which adds another dimension of flavour.
• 1 tsp of sugar (optional and for extra sweetness, if required): This is optional and I recommend using sugar if the mango itself is falling short on sweetness, but see my mango notes above on the best type of mango to use. Brown sugar would be the sugar I recommend using for a healthier option, however any sugar will also be fine for use.

Variations and substitutions?

• Toppings: Experiment with the toppings that you have in your pantry. I guarantee you have something in there to top your mango lassi with. Cashews, blanched almonds, normal almonds, cardamom, cinnamon and rose petals are a few ideas that come to mind!
• Milks and yoghurts: Other than oat milk, dairy milk, coconut milk and soy milk are all really good options for a creamy mango lassi. Coconut yoghurt, regular yoghurt, greek style yoghurt, plain vegan yoghurt are all great options and substitutions for this dish also.
• Cardamom mango lassi: Crushing some cardamom pods and blending it into your mixture is also an excellent choice for a cardamom mango lassi.

Expert tips?

Tasting as you go along is my number one tip.

You will probably blend your initial ingredients together and then adjust the milk, sugar or mango to your liking.