Masala Chaas (spiced buttermilk) is the PERFECT Indian summer drink. It’s really quick and easy to make, while being truly refreshing, and delicious. Oh and not to forget.. super healthy too! And this spicy masala chaas recipe requires only a handful of easily available ingredients and about 5 minutes to make!
In our house, my husband is the hardcore buttermilk fan. He loves it in any and every form, and I’m sure he can have it every single day. I am a little more particular about my chaas, and this masala chaas is my favorite version.
Though I do enjoy plain chaas and tadka chaas too. I just don’t relish it as much as this one. And I don’t know whether it’s the spicy kick, the fresh herbs, or the bhuna jeera in this one, most likely it’s the combination that I love.
And it’s a total bonus that this is a super healthy drink too! Because it’s rare that delicious things are healthy, right? But chaas is really healthy. It’s a low fat, vitamin dense drink that aids in digestion and reducing acidity, while being super cooling and hydrating!
Those are more than enough reasons to include this spiced buttermilk in your regular diet, right? I thought so too. 🙂
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Ingredients You Need
Ingredient notes
Yogurt – Use thick and fresh yogurt, that is not too sour.
Spices – Adjust masalas based on your preference. But don’t substitute roasted cumin powder (bhuna jeera) with regular store bought cumin powder. Just dry roast some cumin and crush it using a mortal & pestle – trust me it makes a WORLD of a difference!
Water – Use chilled water or refrigerate the chaas once it’s ready. Because chilled chaas is the best chaas!
How To Make Masala Chaas
- In a blender / mixer – add yogurt, coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chilli, salt, pepper powder, roasted cumin powder, and a little bit of water.
- Blend till everything is well combined.
- Pour the contents from the blender to a big serving jar, and add in the rest of the water.
- Mix well and serve chilled.
Serving Suggestion
Chaas is best served chilled. Right after or along with a meal.
To add that extra punch, sprinkle a little chaat masala or bhuna jeera powder or even finely chopped herbs right before serving the chaas.
Variations
Plain Chaas / Taak – A simple base version of spiced buttermilk, this is usually made by just diluting yogurt with water and seasoning with salt and pepper (or chopped green chillies). Sometimes asafoetida (hing) and chopped ginger (adrak) is added to aid with digestion. This is my husband’s go-to-version!
Masala Chaas with Tadka – This is especially popular in South India, where tempering is added after chaas is ready, and right before serving. The tempering is made by roasting mustard seeds (and / or cumin seeds), curry leaves & asafoetida (hing) in oil.
Boondi Chaas – In this version, the crunchy khara (savory) boondi is added right before serving the chaas. While I am not overly fond of boondi in my buttermilk, and prefer it in my raitas, I can see the appeal.
Smoked Chaas – This variation is rarely made at home, but smoked chaas is really popular on restaurant menus. Where chaas is given a smoky flavor by infusing the coal flavor right before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
YES. Chaas is made by adding water to yogurt to make it more liquid-y. And Buttermilk is exactly the same thing. It’s just the English word for Chaas.
YES. It’s a low fat, vitamin dense drink that is very good for health. It aids digestion, fights acidity, and is considered as a natural treatment for many digestive disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, and even lack of appetite.
YES. It’s a very healthy drink that can be consumed daily. Though it’s better during summer as it helps to beat the heat over winter. But unless you have or are prone to cold and congestion due to drinking cold drinks in the winter, there is no reason to avoid chaas during cooler weather too.
Chaas and Lassi are both yogurt based drinks. Chaas is a thinner, more diluted yogurt drink that is savory, while Lassi is a thicker, more creamier drink, that can be sweet or savory. One of the most popular kinds of lassi is this sweet creamy Mango Lassi.
You may also like..
⭐️ Mango Lassi (using store bought mango pulp)
⭐️ Besan Chilla (easy & healthy breakfast recipe)
⭐️ Puri Recipe (with tips for making puffed puris)
As always, I hope you found this recipe useful. If you did, please let me know your rating ⭐️ and feedback 📲 in the comments below, or simply rate the recipe right on the recipe card. I’d really appreciate it. ❤️
📖 RECIPE
Masala Chaas – Spiced Buttermilk
Equipment
- Blender / Mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt thick
- ¼ cup chopped coriander leaves
- ¼ cup chopped mint leaves
- ½ small green chilli
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper powder
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder (bhuna jeera)
- 2 cup water preferably chilled
Instructions
- In a blender / mixer – add yogurt, coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chilli, salt, pepper powder, roasted cumin powder, and a little bit of water.
- Blend till everything is well combined.
- Pour the contents from the blender to a big serving jar, and add in the rest of the water.
- Mix well and serve chilled.
Notes
- This masala chaas is a relatively spicy version of chaas. If you don’t want a spicy chaas, then skip using the green chilli, or cut down on the black pepper powder.
- For this recipe, it’s best to use homemade bhuna jeera powder over store-bought cumin powder. Just dry roast the cumin & crush it using a mortar & pestle – it makes a world of a difference!
- It’s ideal to use chilled water to make chaas. Alternatively you can chill the chaas after you’ve made it. Either way, chilled chass is the best chaas!
Nutrition
Video Recipe
This recipe was first published in Sep 2020, and has been republished with updated instructions, notes & tips, step images as well as video in Apr 2021.
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