Masala Chaas (Indian Spiced Buttermilk) is a refreshing Indian drink that is mildly spicy, tangy, and usually savored after meals to improve digestion. Make it using my easy recipe.
Here are some more refreshing Indian drinks that can be made at home: Nimbu Shikanji, Aam Panna, Jeera Soda, Jaljeera, and Kulukki.
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About Masala Chaas
Masala Chaas (Indian Spiced Buttermilk) is an Indian beverage made using yogurt (dahi), fresh herbs, and spices. It is yogurt diluted with water and then flavored using a few basic ingredients.
It is an ideal summer drink as it has a cooling effect on the body. It is also the perfect drink to serve after a heavy meal as it aids digestion.
This masala chaas recipe needs no special skills. Dump all the ingredients into a blender and blend until combined.
In this post, I share the recipe to make basic masala buttermilk and a few variations you can try at home.
Ingredients
Yogurt – Plain yogurt (dahi, curd) makes the base of this drink. If using homemade yogurt, ensure it is not too sour (tangy).
Note – Traditionally, chaas or buttermilk was made by churning the milk. The butter was separated to make various dishes, and the leftover sour whey was made into masala chaach.
Spices – You will need salt, black pepper powder, and roasted cumin powder. Make Roasted Cumin Powder at home using my recipe.
Herbs – Cilantro (fresh coriander leaves) and fresh mint leaves give the buttermilk a refreshing feel. Do not skip adding these herbs.
Replace regular salt with black salt for an earthy flavor. Add some Chaat Masala Powder to your chaas for a nice spicy tang.
How To Make Masala Chaas
Add the following ingredients to a blender jar.
- 1 cup chilled plain yogurt
- 2 cups of chilled water
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon regular salt
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- 8-10 chopped mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
Note – You can also blend the buttermilk ingredients with a hand blender.
Add 3-4 ice cubes and blend for 2-3 minutes until a foam is formed on the top. Adding ice cubes while blending helps in making the foam quickly.
Pour the chaas into serving glasses, add a few ice cubes, and serve chilled immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Variations
Tadka Chaas – Give a tempering of cumin seeds, brown mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies.
Beetroot Chaas – Puree a cooked beetroot and add the puree to the chaas. It not only gives a beautiful color to it but also adds to its nutrition.
Boondi Chaas – Add some boondi (fried chickpea flour balls) to the chaas for a nice crunch. Just ensure you add the boondi before serving; otherwise, it will get soft and mushy.
Cucumber – Puree ½ medium cucumber and add to the masala buttermilk.
Smoked – This is one of my favorite ways of making chaas. Heat a piece of charcoal over high heat until it is red hot. Keep a bowl in the center of the chaas and keep the hot charcoal in the bowl. Pour 1 teaspoon ghee over the charcoal and immediately close the bowl lid. Let the smoke infuse for 10 minutes. Discard the charcoal.
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Recipe Card
Masala Chaas Recipe (Indian Spiced Buttermilk)
Ingredients
- 1 cup chilled plain yogurt (dahi, curd)
- 2 cups chilled water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- 8-10 chopped mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
- 2-3 ice-cubes (plus more for serving)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend for 2-3 minutes until a frothy mixture is formed.
- Pour the chaas in serving glases, add a few ice cubes and serve chiled.
Bhakti
Love your recipes?
Neha Mathur
Thnx 🙂
Tasneem
Tasty summer cooler
Neha Mathur
Thnx 🙂
Divya Shivaraman
so beautiful photography and props….what a wonderful cooler to quench the sun