Crossword lovers, foodies, and trivia buffs—this one’s for you! You’re cruising through your morning puzzle, coffee in hand, and suddenly you hit this clue: “Cold yogurt drink.” Five letters. Refreshing. Foreign, maybe?
If you’re scratching your head, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This clue pops up fairly often in crosswords, and there’s one word that fits the bill nearly every time: LASSI.
🧊 The Go-To Crossword Answer: LASSI
Lassi (pronounced luh-see) is a chilled yogurt-based drink that hails from South Asia, especially India and Pakistan. It’s creamy, cool, and comes in sweet or salty varieties. In the world of crosswords, it’s a dream clue—short, unique, culturally interesting, and easy to fit into tight puzzle spaces.
If you’ve never heard of it before, you might assume it’s just another exotic smoothie. But in South Asian culture, lassi is a staple—both at home and in restaurants. And now, thanks to crossword puzzles and global food trends, it’s finding its way into Western vocabulary too.
🥛 What’s in a Lassi?
At its core, a lassi is super simple:
- Yogurt
- Water or milk
- A blend of spices, sugar, salt, or fruit
It’s the ultimate summer drink in India, especially in regions with high heat. But it’s not just tasty—it’s actually good for digestion, too.
There are two main types:
- Sweet Lassi: Made with sugar, cardamom, rosewater, and sometimes fruit like mango. Think of it as a cross between a smoothie and a milkshake.
- Salty Lassi: Flavored with salt, cumin, black pepper, or mint. More savory than sweet, and incredibly refreshing.
🇺🇸 Lassi in the U.S.: Growing Popularity
While lassi has been popular in Indian restaurants across the U.S. for years, it’s becoming more mainstream. You’ll now find bottled mango lassi in health food stores, global grocery aisles, and even some smoothie shops.
Many Americans are starting to see it as a probiotic-rich alternative to traditional smoothies or sugary drinks—which makes sense. It’s light, healthy, and flavorful, with natural cooling properties.
❓ Other Crossword Possibilities
Even though lassi is the most common answer, depending on the number of letters in your crossword grid, you might run into these variations:
- Ayran – A salty yogurt drink from Turkey. It’s thinner than lassi and served ice cold.
- Kefir – A fermented milk drink that’s tangy and probiotic-rich, more common in Eastern Europe.
That said, “lassi” is the reigning champ for this crossword clue—especially in standard American puzzle publications like The New York Times or USA Today.
🧩 Why Foodie Clues Are So Fun in Crosswords
Crossword puzzles have evolved way beyond boring dictionary words. Now they include pop culture, slang, global dishes, and more. Clues like “cold yogurt drink” add a splash of flavor (literally) to the solving experience.
They make you think outside the box—and sometimes, make you hungry, too.
✅ Final Answer? LASSI, of Course
So next time you hit that clue, you’ll know what to write in: L-A-S-S-I. It’s more than just a crossword filler—it’s a beloved cultural drink that’s making its way into global conversations, one sip (or square) at a time.
And who knows? Once you’ve filled in the puzzle, you might be tempted to try a glass of mango lassi yourself.
