The Perfect Plain Sweet Lassi Recipe

Lassi is a Pakistani and Indian yogurt drink made with yogurt, milk, ice, and sugar. This is the best plain sweet lassi recipe I’ve ever had and it comes from my brother-in-law’s kitchen. His secret? He uses a small amount of whipping cream to create a lassi drink that’s perfectly sweet, extra creamy, and instantly refreshing.

What is Lassi drink?

If you’re not familiar with lassi, it’s a traditional Indian and Pakistani (specifically said to be Punjabi) yogurt drink made from blending yogurt with water or milk.

Lassi is popular in the summer, but to me, it’s kind of like ice cream – very appropriate year-round. There’s nothing quite like downing a warm plate of halwa poori or nihari with an utterly refreshing glass of lassi.

There are hundreds of variations of lassi (it’s very much hit or miss at restaurants), and it can be sweet, salty, or fruity. Though mango lassi is extremely popular, plain sweet lassi is the lassi that started it all.

The Perfect Plain Sweet Lassi Recipe

Watered down, not cold enough, too milky. I’ll admit, I’ve had lots of mediocre lassi drinks.

It wasn’t until I tasted my brother-in-law’s version that I realized how good plain, sweet lassi can be. I was taken aback by how well-balanced it was. (I’m not sure I really liked homemade lassi until I had his.) It was smooth. It was refreshing. It was perfect!

That’s when I discovered he had a secret ingredient – heavy whipping cream.

Though a small amount is used, it helps transform this lassi into something extra special.

How to Make Homemade Plain Sweet Lassi

To make homemade lassi, you simply add ingredients in a blender and blending. My brother-in-law describes the recipe as something like, “half a tub of yogurt, less than a third of the heavy whipping cream (the small box), lots of milk, and lots of sugar.”

Like him, most people don’t use a recipe when making lassi, but I find it’s all in the ratios. This became even more evident to me when I recently tested many versions with my family. Using the same ingredients, slight variations in quantities yielded different results.

Of course, you can adjust the recipe to taste, but I tried to be intentional about the ratios. The ice serves to properly chill the lassi and slightly dilute the yogurt. The milk thins it out while adding balance and smoothness. The heavy whipping cream amplifies the creamy base (a must for a good lassi). The consistency is not too thin or thick. The taste is not too sweet or too tart. For me, the ratios are perfect.

More Delicious Pakistani and Indian Drink Recipes to Try

Authentic Pakistani Chai
Turmeric Milk (Haldi Ka Doodh)

If you try this lassi, please let me know! I’d love for you to leave a comment or rating and share it with me on Instagram. It always makes my day to see you try my recipes!