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, like this light Soya Kadhi. 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 - I like to use thick greek yogurt, but regular homemade yogurt will work fine too.
Water - You will need water to thin out the texture of the chaas/mattha.
Roasted cumin seeds, crushed coarsely - Avoid using store bought cumin powder for this. Freshly roasted cumin seeds will add a fantastic aroma to the drink.
Salt & Sugar for seasonin. I don't add too much sugar, just enough to blend the flavor.
Fresh Herb - Fresh herb and fresh cilantro add the refreshing flavor to the drink. I like to add more than usual as it adds a lovely green hue to the drink.
Ginger and Green Chili - I love fresh ginger with yogurt, and I will highly recommend grating fresh ginger for this. Fresh green chili is optional. I like to heat fresh green chili adds to chaas, but if you don't like it spicy, discard it.
Steps to prepare:
The steps are simple and very easy to make!
1- Grate or blend the fresh ginger. Avoid using store bought ginger paste for this.
2- Adding green chili is optional, I like to add because I like the heat it brings to the drink.
3- In a blender, add the yogurt and water. The amount of water you can adjust based on how thick the plain yogurt is.
4- Add all the fresh herbs, spices, salt, sugar, ginger and green chili.
5- Blend until everything incorporates together smoothly. Taste for salt and sugar, add more if needed.
6- Pour it over ice and enjoy cold.
You can store mattha in the refrigerator for few days. You will notice that the yogurt portion will settle down at the bottom of the jar. Just before serving, give a quick mix and enjoy!
If your blender is not high speed, and you would like a super smooth texture, strain the Chaas before serving.
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.
Someday 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.
FAQs
Chaas or Mattha is a very healthy low calorie summer drink that not only helps to cool you down but also helps to digest your food.
Lassi is more thick and creamy where you don't add water. Lassi is often served sweet, flavored with cardamom. Salty lassi can be compared to chaas, but it will not be as light and chaas.
Yes! Yogurt is probiotic, which helps your body to stay away from infection. A class of chaas every day after lunch or dinner is a great diet choice.
Here are few summer drinks to try
Mattha (Indian Spiced Yogurt Drink)
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain thick yogurt
- 2 cups water (preferably cold water if you are serving immediately)
- 1 teaspoon roasted cumin (crushed coarsely)
- 7 big mint leaves
- 5 to 6 sprigs of cilantro leaves
- Salt and sugar based on your preference
- 1- inch fresh ginger peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 green chilies (slit in half and seeds removed)
Instructions
- In a blender, add everything except the green chili. Blend it to smooth. Strain it if you want smoother texture. You can add green chili if you like it spicy.
- Pour in a jar and drop the green chili to infuse the mattha. If you prefer spicy, then do blend the green chili along with the rest of the ingredients.
- Enjoy it cold with few ice cubes.
Vishakha
Probably my fav non-alcoholic drink! 😉 I can't complain about the heat at all. Singapore is hot all year around..hehe
Little Kitchie
Wow, this looks so refreshing! I agree that the heat makes turning on the oven super unappealing. I'd love to drink this, though!!
Shema George
Chaanch is super cooling and refreshing during these hot days and I love it. Amazing clicks Kankana!
Ella-Home Cooking Ad
wow.. 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..
Chitrangada
It'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.
Annie | STYLEJUICER
As 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!
Hari Chandana
Very beautiful and stunning photographs.. AWESOME!!
usha singh
your pictures are stunning--we make this (a little thicker) and serve with Vegetable Biryani during the summer months
Angie@Angiesrecipes
Refreshing and very tasty! Photos are, as always, fantastic.
Humid and hot is the bad combination..I can't stand it at all.
Sarvani
oh.. 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!!!
Tsofiya
oh this looks so refreshing! will definitely try! awesome post, thank you!
Simone
That 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!
IshitaUnblogged
It'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!
Shruti@PartTimeChef
We make something very similar in Karnataka called majjige. It's a beverage as well as consumed with rice like a curry. Loved the styling!
Lail | With A Spin
Would 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 🙂
sangeeta khanna
Lovely pictures 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Very intriguing, I love the spices! I've been staying cool with lots of mango popsicles :).
Rosa
Intriguing! This refreshing spiced yogurt drink must taste really good. Savory beverages are so unusual in my part of the world...
Cheers,
Rosa
Nisha
Oh 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
I 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
sure thing! message me your number on Facebook, will call ya & we can plan to meet (Y)
Sarah
I 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.