Call it Mattha, Chaas or Spiced Buttermilk, this yogurt baked spiced beverage is a classic Indian summer drink. Couple spices and fresh herbs blended with yogurt and water makes this thirst quencher. It is a great way to stay hydrated.
We Indians love yogurt! And when peak summer hits, we enjoy yogurt in several different ways. A glass of Mattha or Chaas post lunch and dinner helps to keep the tummy cool and digest your meal.
There is no strict recipe for this spiced buttermilk, and we all give our own little twist to suit our taste bud.
Ingredients I used for Mattha
- Plain Yogurt
- Water
- Roasted cumin seeds, crushed coarsely
- Salt
- Sugar
- Fresh mint
- Fresh cilantro
- Ginger
- Green chili
Steps I follow for Mattha
I blend everything except for green chili. Green Chili can get really spicy and I mostly like just the flavor with mild heat. So, I slit the chili in half, remove the seed and then leave it in the jar for it to infuse.
For a super smooth texture, strain the Chaas.
Storing Chaas or Mattha
In a glass jar or pitcher. Make a big portion and drink a glass every day. Do keep in mind that as it sits in the refrigerator the yogurt will settle down separating the water. Just give a good shake or stir and it’s ready.
Somedays I don’t even mind a plain chaas which is just water yogurt with little salt and sugar for seasoning. I occasionally like to drop a few ice cubes just before serving.
Here are few other summer drinks you should try!
Call it Mattha, Chaas or Spiced Buttermilk, this yogurt baked spiced beverage is a classic Indian summer drink. Couple spices and fresh herbs blended with yogurt and water makes this thirst quencher. It is a great way to stay hydrated. 
Mattha (Indian Spiced Yogurt Drink)
Ingredients
Instructions
If you prefer spicy, then do blend the green chili along with the rest of the ingredients.
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Sarah
July 2, 2013 at 7:45 PMI love traditional Indian yoghurt drinks. It took some getting used to the idea of a not-so-sweet drink at first, but once I got past that I was hooked. Perfect for awful heat.
Nisha
July 2, 2013 at 7:59 PMOh boy, you do sound different in this post! The heat’s really ticking you off, eh? 😀
I’m not having a tough time dealing with the heat at all, may be because I’m at home pretty much all day or may be because it is still bearable for me – and I think I live just few miles away from you 😉
I have been noticing Aam ka Panna doing the rounds on blogs lately, so seeing this mattha is a nice change. And your pictures, Kankana – so refreshing, so beautiful!
Kankana Saxena
July 2, 2013 at 8:34 PMI am crapy these days, yeah 🙂 Well, I too stay at home but my home feels like a oven and it doesn’t have an AC. My friend lives in a different unit, and guess what ? Her place is much cooler! Crazy I know! Btw, I didn’t know you live close by. We should meet up sometime 🙂
Nisha
July 3, 2013 at 12:39 AMsure thing! message me your number on Facebook, will call ya & we can plan to meet (Y)
Rosa
July 2, 2013 at 10:43 PMIntriguing! This refreshing spiced yogurt drink must taste really good. Savory beverages are so unusual in my part of the world…
Cheers,
Rosa
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
July 2, 2013 at 11:42 PMVery intriguing, I love the spices! I’ve been staying cool with lots of mango popsicles :).
sangeeta khanna
July 2, 2013 at 11:53 PMLovely pictures 🙂
Lail | With A Spin
July 2, 2013 at 11:58 PMWould you believe I have never tried lassi or desi yogurt drink until 2 weeks ago? I would gladly sip fruity smoothies though. I had a thing about yogurt growing up and it just stayed.
My husband and a good friend cornered me to try a salty yogurt drink 2 weeks ago and I must admit it was good. Looking at the photos, I am sure the mattha is delicious 🙂
[email protected]
July 3, 2013 at 12:19 AMWe make something very similar in Karnataka called majjige. It’s a beverage as well as consumed with rice like a curry. Loved the styling!
IshitaUnblogged
July 3, 2013 at 12:44 AMIt’s funny how the heat has been bogging me down this time too! Chaach is not new, I prefer the sweet Lassi. But your photographs are luring me for sure. We get something in the supermarkets called laban – almost like Chaach and I add a bit of roasted Cumin and slight sugar – and of course crushed ice!
Simone
July 3, 2013 at 12:53 AMThat is such a gorgeous drink Kankana… Or maybe I should say gorgeous photos! Beautiful… It’s raining here (again) today but I don’t envy your heat…. It’s supposed to be getting sunnier here from tomorrow onwards so a little summer would be nice. But too much heat is not a good think! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for rain soon!
Tsofiya
July 3, 2013 at 12:57 AMoh this looks so refreshing! will definitely try! awesome post, thank you!
Sarvani
July 3, 2013 at 1:24 AMoh.. I know what you are feeling.. I was like that all april and may.. and then the monsoons came early!!! so life’s beautiful again… and yes I survived on mattha and coconut water all summer!!!
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July 3, 2013 at 1:26 AMRefreshing and very tasty! Photos are, as always, fantastic.
Humid and hot is the bad combination..I can’t stand it at all.
usha singh
July 3, 2013 at 4:02 AMyour pictures are stunning–we make this (a little thicker) and serve with Vegetable Biryani during the summer months
Hari Chandana
July 3, 2013 at 5:15 AMVery beautiful and stunning photographs.. AWESOME!!
Annie | STYLEJUICER
July 3, 2013 at 5:27 AMAs always it’s a pleasure to read your posts Kankana. You always hit the spot with your recipes. Mattha is perfect for hot days. Yummy!
Chitrangada
July 3, 2013 at 6:04 AMIt’s really terrible in Texas, too. The sun is burning. These glasses of Mattha are just perfect for this sizzling scorching summer. You have made the simple Mattha looks so gorgeous. Loved the pics as usual.
Ella-Home Cooking Ad
July 3, 2013 at 6:17 AMwow.. your photos are breathtaking.. love them.. made me very curious about this drink.. surely will try it soon as the warm weather is coming here too..
Shema George
July 3, 2013 at 6:20 AMChaanch is super cooling and refreshing during these hot days and I love it. Amazing clicks Kankana!
Little Kitchie
July 3, 2013 at 6:23 AMWow, this looks so refreshing! I agree that the heat makes turning on the oven super unappealing. I’d love to drink this, though!!
Vishakha
July 3, 2013 at 6:50 AMProbably my fav non-alcoholic drink! 😉 I can’t complain about the heat at all. Singapore is hot all year around..hehe
dixya
July 3, 2013 at 8:24 AMsummer is extremely brutal is Dallas. I will be making this sometime. I am drinking a lot of lemonades
sowmya
July 3, 2013 at 9:32 AMSummer is horrible here in nebraska too . we make something similar to this called majiga..lovely pics .. I would love to try ur version . 🙂
nipponnin
July 3, 2013 at 9:56 AMI love your photo styling, so cool! You’re awesome!
Elvira
July 3, 2013 at 11:13 AMThis is something you don’t see in Rome and I love the idea of a spicy refreshing drink for a party with friend I’m having over the weekend. Thank you for the tip, it’s going to leave my friends jaw dropped.
Ash- foodfashionpart
July 3, 2013 at 3:13 PMLove your shots as usual Kankana. Btw, I live in the Bay too, and the weather is getting to me..not in the moon for anything.
The yoghurt drink is perfect for this kind of weather.
Lizzy (Good Things)
July 3, 2013 at 6:01 PMWow, another outstanding recipe! I think I am going to love this one! Your photography is jaw droppingly lovely!
Archana
July 4, 2013 at 12:48 AMThat’s brutal! Sounds like your landlord needs to fix AC pronto!!! Mattha brought back memories. Didn’t know Bengalis called it that too! Those shots are gorgeous. You make ordinary things look extraordinary!
Nusrat Azim
July 4, 2013 at 11:06 AMTried Mattha million times for a whole lot of valid and invalid reasons 🙂 But never imagined Mattha could be that outstandingly gorgeous!
You’re a magician, Kankana. YES you are 🙂
Kiran
July 4, 2013 at 2:49 PMIt’s raining cats and dogs here in Florida — every day for the last 2 weeks (or more?). It has to stop and I need to make this Mattha to celebrate 🙂
easyfoodsmith
July 5, 2013 at 6:08 AMThis is indeed a refreshing and delicious drink. We often have it in the mornings on hot summer days instead of tea. The addition of ginger makes it digestive and gives it a kick. Beautiful shots Kankana.
carey
July 5, 2013 at 7:45 AMI have been hearing all about the heat you guys have been getting out there, and it sounds unbearable! Pretty much every news report of every day has mentioned triple digits on the west coast, aiyiyi. And the wildfires — so scary. I really hope it cools down for you soon! We’re in the midst of an extremely gross humid spell, but at least it isn’t over 100°. This drink would be pure heaven right now. Everything about it sounds cooling and revitalizing, from the yogurt to the cilantro, to the spice/heat from the ginger and chili. Yum! (:
Reem
July 5, 2013 at 8:26 PMOK Seriously Babe you have just mesmerized me with the pics.. Again YES!!!
You know I am not such a big fan of lassi but Mattha… YUP… It is just so light n to die for good…
You stay cool gal…. Lets hope these brutal summer just go away ASAP…
jehanne
July 6, 2013 at 8:48 PMevery now and then my husband would ask me to make a drink similar to this-and being a sweet tooth, I never get how he likes chilli in his drink! but your pics are so stunning Kankana, that I might just make this, and steal a sip from his cup!
wok with ray
July 8, 2013 at 7:50 AMI agree with you and I am doing the same thing. It is terribly hot that I stay away from the kitchen myself. Wow, this spiced yogurt drink is something that is intriguing and amazing because it look so beautiful. Well, stay cool, Kankana and go easy on the hubby. Haha! 🙂
Pia
July 8, 2013 at 10:12 AMAami ek glass ghol khete khete ei post ta porlam. The photos are so pretty! Love the bit of saree border 🙂
Nami JustOneCookbook
July 10, 2013 at 5:38 AMIt’s so hot here and I want to try your yogurt drink! It’s so humid here and my husband who went home yesterday told me now it’s cold over there? I should enjoy eating ice cream everyday. 🙂
Orchid
July 10, 2013 at 1:53 PMThis looks really nice and refreshing… I would need it too in the hot and sunny Italy these days!
Ciao
Notyet100
July 11, 2013 at 9:53 PMI feel like picking that glass
Queen Sashy
September 13, 2013 at 11:33 AMI just discovered your blog and I am super-loving it. Great content, great photography — it went straight to my blogroll.
Nithya
September 18, 2013 at 7:11 PMLove your traditional spicy yogurt drink..
Arpita
May 27, 2020 at 12:48 AMThe most refreshing drink ever.. Gorgeous pictures K ♥
Fineddine
June 4, 2020 at 11:25 PMThanks for sharing this post very helpful article
Maneesh
August 2, 2020 at 10:50 AMI loved your all recipes, it’s really easy to make just by following the steps.