My grandmother called this mango soup, which confused me as a child because we drank it from glasses and ate it with flatbread. Aamras is an Indian summer staple: ripe mangoes blended with milk, water, sugar, and a few strands of kesar, saffron. Served ice cold alongside hot chapati or paratha. Cold, sweet mango against warm, chewy bread. It is specific to this dish and specific to the months when Indian mangoes are in season. One of my favorite things we make in the summer.
The saffron is not decorative. A few strands stirred into the blend turn it golden and add a floral depth that mango alone does not have. The mangoes need to be ripe, sweet, and fragrant. If they are hard and sour, no amount of sugar will save the aamras.
How to Make Aamras
Use Ripe Mangoes
Peel two ripe mangoes and cut the flesh into pieces. The mangoes should be soft enough that the flesh separates easily from the skin and pit. Alphonso or Kesar varieties are traditional, but any sweet, ripe mango works. 
Blend with Saffron
Add the mango pieces, milk, water, sugar, and kesar (saffron strands) to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Taste. Adjust sugar depending on how sweet the mangoes are. The consistency should be pourable but thick.
Chill in the fridge until very cold. Serve in glasses alongside warm chapati or paratha. The hot bread dipped into the cold mango is the traditional way to eat it.
Aamras – Sweet Mango Soup
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy mango pulp blended with milk and spices. A refreshing Indian dessert, perfect for a hot day.
Ingredients
- 2 mangoes
- 1 cups (237 ml) milk
- 1 cups (237 ml) water
- kesar
- 4 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Wash the mangoes.
- Peel and cut the mangoes into small pieces.
- Add sugar, milk, water, and mango pieces to a blender.
- Add kesar and mix well.
- Serve the beverage cold with chapati or paratha.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use ripe, overripe mangoes.
- Adjust sugar to your preference based on mango sweetness.
- Store leftover Aamras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 5
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kesar?
Saffron. A few strands are enough. It colours the aamras golden and adds a floral, honey-like aroma. Available at Indian grocery stores. There is no real substitute.
Can I use frozen mango?
In a pinch, yes. Thaw completely and drain excess liquid. The flavour will be less intense than fresh seasonal mangoes, but it works outside of mango season.
Is this a drink or a dish?
Both. It is traditionally served as a side dish with Indian flatbread, eaten by dipping the bread into the cold mango. It can also be drunk on its own as a chilled beverage.
