Ayran – Turkish Salty Yogurt Drink
Savor the deliciously refreshing Ayran, a Turkish salted yogurt drink made from yogurt, water, and a touch of salt. Enjoy it alongside your favorite kebabs and meat dishes or indulge in it as a healthy midday snack to cool off on a hot day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk plain yogurt unsweetened
- 1 cup cold water
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
OPTIONAL
- A few leaves fresh mint chopped or dried mint
Instructions
- Place yogurt in a bowl and whisk until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Add water and salt to the bowl and whisk vigorously until combined and the texture is creamy and smooth.
- Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- If preferred, add in some chopped mint for flavor. Pour into a glass jar, cover tightly with a lid, and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- Yields: This recipe makes 4-5 cups of ayran, ideal for 4 servings. The nutritional information below is per serving.
- Yogurt: While I highly recommend using whole milk yogurt, you can also use low- or nonfat yogurt, though it won’t be as creamy. Greek yogurt can also be used, but you should use more water (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) to get the right consistency.
- Storage: This yogurt drink will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 2-3 days as long as it is kept in an airtight container (such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid). Be sure to shake well before serving.
- Foam on top: The ayran served in most kebab restaurants has a layer of foam on top, filled with visible air bubbles. Many Turkish people consider frothy ayran a sign of freshness and consider it the best part of the drink. When making it at home, the way to achieve bubbles on top is to whisk or shake it vigorously.
- Adjust consistency and taste: The ideal yogurt-to-water ratio is 2 to 1. In other words, to make 4 servings of this yogurt drink, I use 2 cups of yogurt and 1 cup of water. However, you can adjust the consistency to your preference by adding more or less of each ingredient. The same goes for the amount of salt you use.
- Serve it chilled: This drink is best served cold. For the best results, make a batch and store it in a glass jar in the fridge. You can also put the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes, shake it vigorously, and strain it into a glass. Be sure to strain out the ice to avoid diluting the drink.
- Keep it in the fridge: Since ayran is a dairy-based drink, it should be stored in the fridge (At or below 40°F (4°C)) to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.
Nutrition
Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 190mgSugar: 6gVitamin A: 121IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 0.1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!