Vegan Strawberry Lassi Drink with Chocolate

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This Vegan Strawberry Lassi Drink with Chocolate is the ultimate refreshing treat with creamy texture and fruity flavor. Made with ripe strawberries, plant-based yogurt and rich cocoa powder, it’s packed with antioxidants and probiotics to cool down deliciously on hot days or satisfy sweet cravings nutritiously.

two tall glasses filled with strawberry lassi.

This unique twist on easy-to-make traditional Indian yogurt-based drink is sure to become your new favorite summer sip. With the combination of strawberries and chocolate with yogurt, it’s like blending ancient traditions with contemporary tastes.

What is strawberry lassi?

Lassi, in general, is a yogurt-based traditional Indian beverage that is made either salty or sweet. Here, I made it with the combination of strawberries and cocoa powder to enhance its versatility and unique taste.

Historical and Cultural significance

Lassi is associated with hospitality and celebration. It is many times offered as a welcome drink. It holds an important place in Indian cuisine and is considered as a health tonic because of its digestive and cooling properties during summer. The sweet version promotes energy and salty spiced version promotes relief from bloating. It is usually enjoyed for breakfast in North India and as an afternoon pick-me-up in other parts of India.

Over the years, lassi has become popular all over the world and can now be made vegan and dairy-free to suit various dietary needs.

Mango lassi, especially, has become very popular worldwide and is now available in all restaurants in and outside India.

Health benefits of strawberries

Being a great source of antioxidants, these are packed with vitamin C, folate and fiber thereby, boosting immunity. They fuel the beneficial bacteria in the gut and slow down the digestion of glucose. They help regulate blood pressure and blood sugar. Being low in calories, they support weight loss or healthy weight management.

I love to bake my strawberry brownies and strawberry cake for desserts during the season. My kids love strawberry pancakes which are healthy and indulgent at the same time.

Health benefits of strawberry lassi

Probiotics: Yogurts often contain live cultures that support gut health.

Antioxidants: Strawberries and cocoa powder are rich in antioxidants, which help in detox and boosting overall immune health.

Vitamins & Minerals: It’s a great combination of calcium, vitamin C and iron thereby providing a complete balanced nutrition to the body.

Why you will love this recipe

Easy to make and nutritious
Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free
only 7 ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredient notes

Strawberries – fresh strawberries work best here. However, you may use frozen, but make sure to defrost them for the best results.

Cocoa powder – this enhances the color and rich texture and flavor.

Vegan yogurt – any unflavored plant-based yogurt is great here especially coconut milk-based yogurt.

Milk – I used almond milk for a creamy texture but unsweetened coconut milk also works.

Cardamom – Cardamom gives it a subtle sweet aroma along with a mild flavor.

Saffron – This adds natural color and flavor along with making it look rich and beautiful to present.

Maple syrup – This adds a nice caramelized sweet flavor. However, sugar can also be used as a sweetener.

a close up view of served strawberry lassi with its garnishes.

For detailed measurements of ingredients, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to make

Firstly, with a sharp knife, I hulled the strawberries to remove the green leafy part from its top.

hulled strawberries with a knife on a wooden cutting board.

Secondly, in an electric blender, I blended strawberries and cocoa powder until smooth and kept it aside.

before and after images of blended starwberries.

Secondly, in a mixing bowl, I combined yogurt, almond milk, cardamom and saffron. Then, with the help of a traditional hand-held wooden blender, I blended it until smooth and creamy.

before and after images of blended yogurt mixture in a bowl.

Thereafter, I blended in the strawberry mixture.

strawberry mixture being poured from a blender into the bowl of yogurt mixture.

Lastly, I stirred in maple syrup and whipped everything together and chilled it in the refrigerator.

all the ingredients whipped up in a bowl.

When ready, I poured it into the serving glasses and garnished with chopped pistachio, chocolate chips, saffron and chopped strawberries.

top view of garnished strawberry lassi in a serving glass.

Serving tips

Serve it chilled with the suggested garnishes and enjoy it as is. Or serve it with vegan omelette as a side beverage. Add unflavored protein powder and enjoy it as post-workout recovery beverage. It can also be served with tofu sandwich for a wholesome lunch meal.

Storage tips

It tastes best when served immediately. However, it can be refrigerated for couple of hours without garnishes. When ready, garnish and serve.

Expert tips

Make sure to use high-speed blender to blend the fruit smooth without adding extra liquid.
It is important to use a hand immersion blender or a manual wooden hand blender to smoothen the yogurt mixture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make it without yogurt?

Yogurt is the base of this recipe. You may use Greek yogurt, regular yogurt or dairy-free or lactose-free to suit your dietary needs.

Is it good for weight loss?

Yes! The salty lassi is definitely favorable for weight loss. However, for this sweet lassi recipe ff you add the sweetener in a limited proportion, lassi is very healthy and gut-friendly. Hence, it can be consumed every day for weight loss or weight management.

Is lassi and buttermilk the same?

Even though they look similar, but they are different. Buttermilk is made with spices and is the leftover liquid after making butter. It is often savory in taste and is thinner in consistency. Whereas lassi is made with the combination of yogurt and milk and can be in the form of sweet or salty. It’s thicker in texture and versatile along with being nutritious.

a 45 degree angle view of served strawberry lassi.

More related recipes

Peach Smoothie
Strawberry Smoothie
Blackberry Smoothie

This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on them and make a purchase, I will get a small commission. Moreover, I share only those products which I use personally and love.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did. I am very excited to hear back from you.

Where to find me?
Follow me on Facebook or on Twitter. You may tag @kiipfit on Instagram with your recipe remake images because I
would love to see what you cooked.

Did you make it?
If you get a chance to make this recipe then please leave your feedback in the comments below along with a 5-star rating.

In addition, you may checkout my cookbook for everyday comfort vegan recipes.

Print Recipe