Lassi is a popular traditional drink made from dahi (yogurt) originating from the Indian Subcontinent. Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit.

This traditional Indian yogurt-based drink dates back to pre-refrigeration times when Punjabi farmers mixed their milk with sugar and curd and brewed it in clay pots. Lassi is often flavored with a variety of fresh herbs, various spices, fruit and flower essences.

Nowadays, it is often mixed with ice and served as an accompaniment to hot and spicy dishes, as it brings refreshment to the palate and soothes the body, especially on hot summer days. Sweet lassi is called metha lassi and it usually contains ginger, mint, rose water, cardamom and specialty fruits like mango.

Namkeen lassi is a savory version of lassi, often flavored with ground black pepper, garlic and roasted cumin seeds. Salty lassi is quite popular in the Indian subcontinent. It is prepared by mixing yogurt with water and adding a little salt, making it also known as salted lassi.

Another popular variety of this drink is bhang lassi. Bhang lassi is a drink containing bhang, a liquid derivative of cannabis, with effects similar to other edible forms of cannabis. Using bhang in cuisine is legal in many parts of India. The state of Uttar Pradesh has many licensed bhang shops, and in many places, people can easily buy bhang-based products as well as drink bhang lassi without any legal problems. Bhang lassi is mainly consumed during pompous Indian festivals like Maha Shivaratri.