If there be thorns, there shall be roses.
When we first made our journey from India to Canada, packed in our suitcases among our humble belongings was a small treasure trove of what always seemed to my younger self as magical potions and such. Having grown up in India, my parents were well versed in homemade ayurvedic remedies. We brought with us such things as eucalyptus (nilgiri) oil, sandalwood oil, churna and rose water to name a few.
Every so often, my mother would lay out these things on the table in search of a particular remedy. Each time, I would carefully open the small bottle of rose water, take a whiff, and then just as carefully, close it. In ayurvedic medicine, rose water is used to heal canker sores inside the mouth (among other uses) and since I had been unlucky (or perhaps lucky) enough to have had a few, I knew exactly how wonderful rose water was. Knowing that a dose of rose water was coming my way made the pain of canker sores bearable.
But we had to limit our use of rose water to medicinal purposes as we only had that one bottle and didn’t think we could purchase more in Canada. I grew up hearing all about the wonderful culinary uses of rose water but delights such as rose lassi and falooda remained elusive for much of my childhood.
Fast forward to present day, rose water can be easily found not only at ethnic shops but large food chains as well. Rose water has many benefits. But for me, it’s the taste and scent it brings to culinary uses that is most wonderful. 
Rose lassi is a sweet lassi, super delicious and very refreshing. It makes a perfect accompaniment to a spicy meal. Most rose lassi recipes use rose syrup. This adds a lovely pink hue, as well as rose flavouring. Since I rarely make rose syrup, I simply only use rose water for flavouring. 
Rose Lassi
(serves 1)
- 150 g yogurt
- 1/2 cup ice cold water
- 1 tbsp (or to taste) honey or maple syrup or sweetener of your choice
- 1 tsp rose water
- Combine yogurt, water, sweetener and rose water and vigorously whisk together using a wooden whisk (traditional method) or use an immersion blender (my method) until frothy. Alternatively, you can also place all the ingredients in a jar with a cap and shake it vigorously.
- Serve. Traditionally, it is garnished with fresh rose petals (culinary grade) or finely chopped pistachios.
conifères & feuillus 
Spectacular images. Loved the recipe. Cheers!
Thank you dear!
Beautiful post Annika. Never tried a rose lassi, book marking this. Thanks for the share.
I’ve never had a lassi, but it sounds wonderful! I already have some rose water kicking around, so maybe I’ll try it this weekend using coconut yogurt.
I have never tried vegan-izing it…. but that sounds really yummy!
Grt drink for summer
Don’t know if you recollect the bottled rose syrup? I’ve generally added the readymade stuff to my lass – although I much prefer salted chhaas
Yes, I do… but I don’t use it. Rose water does the trick. I prefer the salty one as well, next would be any fruit version…. but the rose version has it’s place too!
just looking at your rosebuds pic brought back the delicious perfume of roses to me…
I use rosewater as a face toner. This is a great idea. I want to try this recipe.. i love your pictures also. Thank you for sharing
Have recently started following your blog. Just loved your way of storytelling and amazed by the food photography.
Thank you so much!
Ahhh, the joys of rose water. In Singapore we use rose syrup and evaporated milk for a drink called bandung, which is very sweet and has this childishly delightful pink colour. I love the narrative that follows it – reminds me of being in the kitchen with my mother, too. Lovely blog, and I look forward to reading more of your charming posts!
Thank you dear! I’ve visited Singapore once and absolutely fell in love with the city and its people! I’ve never heard of bandung, it sounds interesting!
Love your blog Annika. Thank you for sharing this. I am going to have to give it a try.
Thank you!
😍💕
Thank you Sneha!
I can’t wait to try this! The pictures are beautiful!
Thank you Angelina!
Beautiful story of your family and I almost felt like I was at the table with all those potions. Gorgeous photos as usual and delish recipe.
Thank you Archana!
Sounds lovely🌹
Thank you Ursula!
A beautiful post, Annika. And such gorgeous photos. I can see how lovely and refreshing this would be with a spicy meal. Would be great fun to make this for a dinner party to go with something spicy and treat your guests to a special treat. Beautiful xx
Thank you Tracey. Yes, it would be great to serve for a party, maybe garnished with fresh rose petals just to be extra fancy!
Your storytelling is indeed quite captivating Annika!! I have on several occasions purchased rose water but never knew quite what to make with it… hope to try this soon before I need to throw away yet another bottle of rose water!
Thank you Marisa. It doesn’t get easier than this, do try it out!
Your shoot is impeccable and the memories lovely, Annika 🙂 I have such summery memories of the ubiquitous Rooh Afza.
Thank you dear! I was going to mention Rooh Afza in the post but then just left it out as I don’t use it. But I do have some memories of this as well from my visits to India!
I did not particularly like Rooh Afza though. I found it too strong for my taste. Just that it used to be one of the summer staples, you know 😉 xx
Such yogurt drinks are so great in the summer. Rosewater is such a great addition to it. I’ll definitely give it a try soon. 🙂
Yes they are! And apparently good for digestive health as well. Rose water makes it just so much better though!
This is beautiful, Annika! Your pictures are lovely and your writing captivating. Unlike you, my only memory of Rose water was about the tonic my mother used to apply to her face after undoing her makeup. So I have never associated it with anything culinary and still, now, I never use it in the kitchen 🙂 . I suffer from canker soars too, good to know that it can be one of its applications. I’d love to try the lassi, as well, anyway. Wish we lived closer, so I could pass by and chat over a nice glass of your rose lassi.
Thank you Nicoletta. It’s amazing how many uses rose water has outside of the culinary world. Oh I would love to sit and chat with you! I am not far, my dear… if you are ever in Montreal, do let me know!