Punjabi Kachi Lassi: A Refreshing Summer Beverage

Rajan writes to share his knowledge of health, yoga, pranayama, alternative therapies, natural remedies, food recipes, and more.

Kachi lassi is a cold, refreshing non-alcoholic summer beverage from the North Indian state of Punjab.

Kachi literally means uncooked. Lassi is a beverage or drink that is always prepared with fresh yogurt. Kachi lassi, however, is an exception—instead of yogurt, milk is used. The milk imparts a delicious flavor and taste when combined with the rose syrup, or rooh afza.

Rooh afza is a blend of rose syrup with extracts of cooling herbal ingredients, citrus flowers, and vegetables. If rooh afza is unavailable, you can buy rose syrup from a store. If you wish, you may prepare natural rose syrup at home with rose petals, or you can make a rose syrup with food-grade color and flavor.

Simple and quick to prepare, this traditional drink has been handed down from generation to generation. Nuts or additional flavorings, like saffron, are not used in this traditional drink.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons or more rose syrup or rooh afza
• 50 millilitre cool but previously boiled milk
• 250 millilitre chilled water
• 3-4 ice cubes

Instructions

1. Place the ice cubes in a large mug, and pour in the milk.
2. Add the chilled water, and 2 tablespoons or more, as per taste, of rooh afza or rose syrup.
3. Stir to mix well. Serve immediately.

© 2018 Rajan Singh Jolly

Comments

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 18, 2018:

I am certain you will Dianna. Thank you for going through the recipe.

Dianna Mendez on October 17, 2018:

Sounds like a drink I would truly enjoy while reading a good book. Thanks for the recipe idea.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 11, 2018:

Thank you manatita. Glad you liked it.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 11, 2018:

In Punjab, the combination of a little milk with lots of water is called kachi lassi. This, of course, is very different from the classic lassi we all know. Come summer and you can try it. Thank you Rinita.

Rinita Sen on October 10, 2018:

Had no idea lassi could be made without yoghurt! This was enlightening. Well, it is almost winter, so I guess will save this for next summer. Wonderful introduction as always.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 10, 2018:

You're welcome, Peggy. Thank you for going through the recipe/

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 10, 2018:

I am certain you will like it, Bill. Thank you.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 10, 2018:

Thank you, Louise.

manatita44 from london on October 10, 2018:

This summer beverage was easy to make. It has a very pleasant refreshing taste. Sukriya.

Rajan Singh Jolly (author) from From Mumbai, presently in Jalandhar, INDIA. on October 10, 2018:

Thank you, Devika.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on October 09, 2018:

I can imagine that this summer beverage is very refreshing. Thanks for your recipe.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on October 09, 2018:

This I would try. Thank you my friend. When next summer rolls around I will be ready for a taste treat.

Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on October 09, 2018:

I like the sound of this. It sounds very refreshing.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on October 09, 2018:

Unique and I like it!