Yogurt-based drinks have turned into cultural symbols not only in India with their famous lassi or in Turkey with their widely celebrated ayran but also in Gaza, Lebanon, and Egypt, where Kefir is served cold. Readers of the LA Times newspaper have posed this question in a crossword puzzle: What is the name of a cold drink made from yoghurt? The majority of the players found the question hard to answer and thus left with unsolved puzzles in their hands.
This fascinating clue is an example of the type of clues to which there might be several correct solutions. LASSI, YOP, KEFIR, and SMOOTHIE are the ones that come to mind immediately. People who are crossword solvers and who prefer doing crossword puzzles from the LA Times or other similar sources should be aware of these refreshing drinks.
We are now going to talk about what yoghurt drinks are represented in the crossword clues, take a look at their different opinions, and find out how the puzzle solvers will be able to get the job done confidently.
What is Lassi? Understanding the Cold Yogurt Drink Crossword Answer
The hint “cold yogurt drink” implying a 5-letter word has a pretty clear answer to it — LASSI. This very crossword answer highlights the traditional drink from the Indian subcontinent, which is a name that the drink has been given by crossword solvers, taking into account mainly its interesting but tricky spelling and the beverage’s favourite status.
Origin and history of lassi
Lassi (pronounced “uh-see”) has not been a recent invention because it was first introduced and soon became popular in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, which goes way back to the period of about 1000 B.C. The spelling is derived from the Sanskrit or Hindi-Urdu words “lasya”, meaning “unevenness”, and “rassila” (Hindi for “juicy”) [1]
}[2].
The first advertisement was put out to the American people in 1971. The New York Times described it as “the esoteric whitish fluid that Pakistanis concoct by mixing yoghurt with water and adding salt or sugar” [2]. The drink became so popular that in 1982, the NYT wrote about lassi as if the readers knew it [2].
Common types of this Indian drink
To make a lassi, one mixes the yoghurt with water or sometimes milk, and then there could be a whole lot of fruit that can be added, or the drink may be preferred in a fruity flavour like mango. Yoghurt and milk are the two main bases, but all the other ingredients are optional.
- Sweet lassi – Flavored with sugar, fruits (especially mango) or rose water
- Salty/savoury lassi – Prepared with salt and possibly spiced with cumin, black pepper, or cardamom [3][4]
There is a vast array of lassi depending on the region. Mango lassi, for instance, is always in vogue, while bhang lassi (meant for the users) becomes available at Indian festivals like Holi [3]. Also, masala lassi can be incredibly spicy, which makes it more prevalent during the winter and mint lassi is a perfect option for the hot seasons of the year.
Why does Lassi appear in crosswords frequently
One reason why solvers like to see “lassi” {In} puzzles is that it has five letters, which fit precisely in the row of the grid. The double S’s enables very convenient word cross relations.
The fact that it is the symbol of the cold yoghurt drinks genre denotes that it will be a perfect match to such a clue as “cold yoghurt drink crossword clue 5 letters” [5]. It also has a catchy name, which is not like any other drinks and enables the solvers to memorize it quickly.
Lassi is a very familiar term in English, all credit to the Indian dishes that have gained popularity along with the same. That is why it is an ideal answer for users who are in front of a “cold yogurt drink” clue.
Understanding the “Cold Yogurt Drink” Crossword Clue At a Glance
The “cold yoghurt drink” is a clue that puzzle addicts frequently come across in crosswords of all sorts. This example of an often-seen clue reveals how the crossword puzzle authors set up the whole game with their hints.
Vibrant wording in the clues of different publications
Different ways of saying this familiar puzzle were picked up by various publications. To keep the puzzle more straightforward, the LA Times Crossword describes it as a “Cold yoghurt drink.” In contrast, other publications quote various words synonyms of yoghurt like:
- “Indian yoghurt-based drink” (or Indian lassi).
- “Fermented dairy beverage” (yoghurt or lassi).
- “Milky Indian drink” (yoghurt or lassi).
- “Blended yogurt drink” (yoghurt or lassi).
- “Served in glass iced or chilled drink” (yoghurt or lassi).
A few builders may show impressive creativity by describing the drink as an “Indian drink … young woman out east.” Or “Indian drink … often made with mango.” However, in both cases, the correct answer is the same.
Why this clue has 5 letters in the answer
LASSI is the perfect choice for those solving the crosswords that are 5 letters long. 5-letter words are loved by puzzle creators because they are neither too short nor too long and able to connect well with crossing words.
Due to the fact that the word has such a geometrically pleasing pattern with a double “S”, it can be compared to match the locations of the joints of other words. LASSI not only includes the double “S,” but it also has an extraordinary spelling that our mind will remember, so it is regularly used as a clue in puzzles.
Common alternative clues for LASSI
Puzzle creators do not stop at “cold yogurt drink” and create more clever alternatives. For example, some of them are:
- “English girl eats a yogurt drink” (wordplay on “LASSIE”)
- “Curd based drink”
- “Indian drink given by young woman out east”
- “Lassi … this is regular” (which hints at “ASTI”)
- “Mango flavored beverage”
Clues that are similar to “Lassi ingredient” (YOGURT or MANGO) and “Lassi flavor” (MANGO) are also frequent. One cultural reference generates multiple crossword possibilities, from The New York Times to The Guardian.
PrintStuck on Cold Yogurt Drink Crossword Clue? Here’s Your Answer
- Total Time: 5
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
A creamy and refreshing cold yogurt drink, lightly sweetened and gently flavored with cardamom. Perfect for staying cool and hydrated on hot days.
Ingredients
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1 cup plain yogurt (full-fat or low-fat)
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1/2 cup cold water or milk
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2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
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1/4 tsp ground cardamom
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Ice cubes (optional)
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Chopped pistachios or almonds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Add yogurt, water (or milk), sugar, and cardamom to a blender.
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Blend until smooth and frothy, about 30 seconds.
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Pour into glasses over ice if desired.
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Garnish with chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cardamom. Serve immediately.
Notes
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Use chilled ingredients for best results.
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Try adding rose water or saffron for an aromatic twist.
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Vegan option: Substitute with coconut yogurt and plant-based milk.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Crossword Solving Strategies for Food and Drink Clues
Not only do you have to have good knowledge related to food and beverages, but also you have to master unique strategies for dealing with food and drink clues. The whole hobby of solving puzzles will inevitably involve many such references, and this is the only way to be successful in them.
Recognizing cultural food references
Crossword participants are now often able to enjoy and discover engaging food from all over the world, thanks to culinary diversity. The New York Times puzzles have begun to accept more international and obscure words due to a change in the world’s food habits. Tacos were introduced in 1963 (Japanese sandwich). Sushi in 1982, dim sum dishes in 1985, Thai food in 1993 and Vietnamese “banh mi” in 2015 have become part of the crossword lexicon. The mass of Vietnamese restaurants in various parts of the U.S. has made the “banh mi” casually recognized, which is your phrase. This can be done by [shift]+[right]-arrow with the link for the New York Times probe.
[6].
Traditional puzzles typically resorted to only Italian food and American classics while neglecting Chinese cuisine like Sichuan [3]. At present, the majority of puzzle constructors actively search for ways to change the food gamut by integrating various countries’ dishes.
Discovering drink names via letter patterns
Recognizing the patterns used in the clues can give you an advantage over the other competitors. So, which patterns do we examine?
- It is common to see puzzles with the words “pear,” “guava,” and “peach,” representing five-letter drinks frequently.
- Names of beverages with unusual letters (like “k” in “vodka”) can make you more confident in your solving skills.
- The letter pattern L-A-S-S-I perfectly matches cold yoghurt drink hints.
Questions like “cold yogurt drink crossword clue 5 letters ” appear with other drinks of five letters like cider, cocoa, juice, lager, latte, mocha, punch, shake, stout, and water [4]. The next step was to check the “Cold yogurt drink crossword clue 5 letters” query with the intersecting letters to reduce.
Tech Vocabulary To Make a Food Puzzle
Yes, it’s true that a compulsive treat addict has a rich source of words in one’s memory that, if needed, can be used in a crossword puzzle game. The consistency of the food vocabulary compared to random words is evident, and it adds to the fun of the learning process.
The puzzle constructors spend time creating a list of food-related items for their puzzles. For example, one constructor put “PEA TIPS” (his favourite vegetable) into his crossword vocabulary list [3].
[3]. Will Shortz, the New York Times crossword editor for a long time, managed to master Spanish only by doing crosswords for years.
As you:
- Read menu descriptions carefully
- Learn words typically used to refer to food in various languages
- Get to know idioms about food (“in the soup,” “cheesed off”)
- Memorize food-related words (“yeast,” “tender,” “garnish”) [1]
No denying that solving puzzles focused on food topics will add new words to your technical dictionary. You will be confident in clarifying what a “cold yoghurt drink” is in the wink of an eye.
Other Common Yogurt-Related Crossword Clues and Answers
Not only the lassi but many more yoghurt-related words are the answers to the crossword puzzles, which help experienced solvers prepare their skills. It is particularly with food and drink clues that improving your knowledge of these common words can turn out extremely helpful.
KEFIR and other fermented drink clues
A classic 5-letter yoghurt drink is KEFIR, on account of which it is included in the lists of crossword answers more than once. Good Kefir is as complex or even more challenging to solve as lassis. The styles of the questions are also different, and in most cases, they are “Yogurtlike Russian drink,” “Sour yogurt-type drink,” or “Yogurtlike beverage.” “Somewhat like a first-rate fermented drink” or “Somewhat like top-notch fermented” are other such questions that might turn your way.
The fermented nature of Kefir enables it to be effectively categorized under a wide range of beverage varieties. For instance, it is pretty typical of constructors to place Kefir along with other fermented drinks in a particular category and clue these drinks with questions such as:
- “Fermented beverage” (which could also be ALE, CIDER, or WINE)
- “Fermented drink” (possibly LAGER or BREW)
- “Acidic, fermented beverage” (might point to KOMBUCHA)
Greek yoghurt brand names in puzzles
CHOBANI(7 letters) and OIKOS(5 letters) have both been established as beloved items in the crossword puzzle world since they are Greek yoghurt brands. Both of them are your first options if you find “Greek yoghurt brand” or “Greek-style yoghurt brand in the puzzles.
OIKOS has a unique wink as in the “Greek-yogurt brand with a Greek name.” YOPLAIT, NOOSA, and ACTIVIA are also being used by the constructors in the puzzles from time to time.
Deciphering yogurt-adjacent terms like WHEY and CURD
From the nursery rhyme of Little Miss Muffet, the creators of puzzles find many clues. WHEY(4 letters) comes up as “Curds’ complement” or “Cheese-making byproduct.” As “Miss Muffet’s fare” or just “…eating her curds and ____” you will also find it.
CURD occurs almost naturally with whey, like in this kind of clue, which is called a “Whey partner.” The terms related to this could be COTTAGE (“Kind of cheese also called curds and whey”), TOFU (“Curds in cubes”), and PALE (“Whey-faced”).
The terms around the yoghurt thing won’t be a waste of time as they will get you into the food-related within-puzzles about dairy products, which are frequent.
For a variety of refreshing lunch beverage options, explore our What Should I Order for Lunch? 15 Quick and Delicious Options for Your Midday Meal.
Conclusion
The explanation of lassi’s cultural significance, Kefir’s fermented qualities, and the use of common yoghurt terminology not only exists but is reasonably satisfying to grasp.
Recognizing patterns and having a good food vocabulary play a vital role in quickly deciphering these items. LASSI is a word you can see very often as the answer for “cold yoghurt drink.” Besides that, having in-person or store brand knowledge like KEFIR and OIKOS or CHOBANI is just like an extra life in a game.
Crossword constructors fuse Indigenous and present-day food elements when implying yoghurt brands. Your fluid knowledge of the various cultures’ drinks and dairy terms will be significant not only in your puzzle-solving time but also in your overall experience.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the most familiar solution for the “cold yoghurt drink” crossword clue? This is the most common 5-letter answer for this clue: LASSI – a typical yoghurt-based Indian drink.
Q2. How do I become more proficient in solving food-related crossword puzzles? Improve your eating habits by the following techniques: Keep an ear open for wines chosen for a certain dish when you are at a restaurant, learn various food terminologies in different languages, and learn food-related expressions and ingredient terms.
Q3. Can one find other types of yoghurt drinks in crosswords? Absolutely, KEFIR is an alternative 5-letter solution for yoghurt drink clues. In puzzles, the drink is often said to be a “Russian yogurtlike drink” or “sour yogurt-type drink”.
Q4. What can be some methods to untangle beverage-related crossword clues? Focus on letter sets, mainly for 5-letter drinks. Observe letters that rarely occur in beverages, and use those letters that intersect to limit the choices.
Q5. Are there any crosswords, including mentions of international cuisines? Yes, modern-day crossword puzzles have been seen referring to international cuisines quite frequently, which indicates more diverse eating habits since puzzles are not confined to only Italian and American cuisines. Besides, they incorporate cultural food trends as well.
References
[1] – https://crosswordlabs.com/view/advanced-food-vocabulary
[2] – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/whats-a-lassi-92519178/
[3] – https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/15/crosswords/wojcik-diverse-crossword-puzzles.html
[4] – https://bestforpuzzles.com/lists/drinks/5.html
[5] – https://luaghter.com/cold-yogurt-drink-crossword-everything-you-need-to-know/
[6] – https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/02/07/opinion/what-74-years-of-times-crosswords-say-about-the-words-we-use.html