Masala Chaas (Spiced Buttermilk)
Masala Chaas is a popular Indian yogurt drink. This refreshing drink is lightly spiced and is the perfect way to cool off during summers.
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Indian masala chaas is the ideal summer drink! Made with yogurt, water and some spices, it’s not only light and refreshing but also good for you!
One of the things which stops me from going vegan is yogurt (well the cheese and butter too!! but for now let’s talk about yogurt). I grew up eating a lot of yogurt and that’s given since it’s used extensively in Indian cuisine. And if not in a recipe, we eat yogurt in some way or the other every day. For example, no lunch at my home in India is complete without a side of raita. If there’s no raita then just plain yogurt with a sprinkle of cumin powder will do. So it’s basically deep rooted in my system and so hard to give up.
Other than cooking with it, I also enjoy baking with yogurt. It’s such a good replacement for eggs in many recipes, like this eggless banana cake or eggless brownies. Another way in which we enjoy yogurt during summers in Masala Chaas. It’s basically diluted yogurt mixed with some spices to make it all refreshing and perfect for summer! This spiced buttermilk is the perfect way to cool off during hot days. It goes really well with Indian meals.
Today’s recipe is brought to you guys by my husband. I am always super excited to share his recipe with you guys. Actually he’s very good at making drinks (non-alcoholic only!) and I don’t even try to interfere or encroach his area of expertise. So whenever we have guests at home or we feel like drinking something nice, it’s always him to the rescue. He makes chai for me every single morning (ain’t I lucky?!!), it’s not that I can’t make it but he just wouldn’t allow me. And now over the years I have just got used to this habit. The funny thing though is that he doesn’t drink chai but makes it for me everyday! Sweet isn’t it?
Other than chai, he also makes amazing summer drinks like this afghan drink, dough and this masala chaas. Making this chaas does not require any special skills, all you need is a good blender. You just have to mix everything together till combined and then pour into glasses and enjoy. It’s that simple!
Masala chaas is one summer drink which you can made even in advance. Make it ahead and keep it refrigerated till ready to serve. It tastes best when chilled. Stay cool and enjoy this recipe! xx
Masala Chaas (Spiced Buttermilk)
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 green chili
- 1/2 inch ginger
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black salt also known as kala namak
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon chat masala
- cilantro or mint for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend till combined.
- Pour into serving glasses, garnish with fresh cilantro or mint and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Masala Chaas
1 green chile…..
I live in California and there are so many varieties of green chiles and of various sizes. Which should I use and how much?
Cooked, steamed, pealed, canned, raw?
Anaheim/California Chiles
New Mexico/Hatch Chiles
Poblano Green Chiles
Chilaca Peppers
Jalapeño Peppers
Serrano Chiles
Habanero Peppers
Pasilla chile
searrano chili will be fine, use a small one and raw, you just add it straight and blend. In Indian cooking 99% of the time we never steam chilies for recipes and we never use cans of chilies. If you like spicy, use a bigger one. hope this helps.
An Indian co-worker suggested that I use a green Thai chili. A small one. Noticed the heat units for Serrano are 10k-25k while Thai chili is 20k-100k. So even though Thai green chili is much smaller than Serrano, I’m going to test w/small portion and move up as needed and suggest anyone else do the same.
sounds good!
I make something very similar but I use store bought buttermilk instead of yogurt and water. Tastes great!
Lovely recipe! Thank you for adding the quantity of salt instead of the generic “salt to taste”- it’s helpful to use as an estimate. For me, this recipe is perfect and reminds me of home!
thanks for trying! haha I always include salt measurements to give at least an idea to my readers about the amount. glad you find that helpful!
I wonder why, despite the chef being an Indian, uses the words such as “cilantro” for dhaniya. Many uneducated Indians wonder what cilantro could be.. and assuming that they don’t have that ingredient they just ignore this wonderful and delicious recipe.
I am suggesting to use Indian words along with the American or European words
Loved recipe
Regards
Hi Sushant, that’s because I have been living in the US for the last 12 years. I think it’s human to pick few words when you live in a country for so long and it happens naturally. So I have gotten used to calling it cilantro.
So much salt not needed. And too much spice. Reduced it by 1/4
most recipes don’t even mention the amount of salt, they always say “salt to taste”. I do mention it to give an idea but salt is one such thing which can always be adjusted to taste.
This is exactly how I love Masala Chaas. Loved the recipe. Thank you 🙂
welcome 🙂
Interesting drink but too much sodium (6gm!) in the recipe for me..(am restricted to 2gm a day, doctor’s orders)…
nutritional values are only an estimate calculated automatically by a plugin, please consult a nutritionist for accurate information.
AMAZING
Nice
very spicy be careful if u want something sweet this is definitely not ur summer drink!!!
Most of the spices have cooling properties except for ginger. So its definitely a summer drink.
Sally if it is to spicy then try making it again without Chili that is all you have to do
How long will Masala Chaas keep safely, without the spices, in my fridge?
not long, i would try to finish with in 24 hours for fresh taste
I’m Nigerian but i love indian food, masala et al. I wanna learn a lot more of your food and spices (masala). The spices are expensive and difficult to find here but i will keep trying.
Amazing recipe! Turned out delicious! I really like your channel. Lots of love!
Hi. I made vegan Chaas with this recipe. It tastes brilliant. 🙂
Loved it for the first time my daughter had 2 full glasses
Very Nice, Looks good
can the masala ingredients ground and kept and then added with buttermilk
sure why not!
It’s a popular Indian drink Angie! Thanks 🙂