If you've ever visited Turkey, you may have come across a popular beverage called Ayran.
This refreshing Yogurt Drink is a staple in Turkish cuisine and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Ayran is a cold, savory, and refreshing yogurt-based beverage widely popular in Turkey as well as in Turkic countries, the Middle East, and the Balkans.
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This refreshing Turkish Yogurt Drink needs only 3 ingredients and is ready in just 5 minutes.
Turkish Ayran has a tangy, slightly salty taste and a creamy texture that's perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day.
It is often served chilled or with ice along with kebabs, pastries, or spicy dishes such as Patlican Kebabi - Eggplant Kebab, Tantuni, and Karadeniz Pidesi.
Yogurt is a very important and widely used ingredient in Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisines.
It is the star ingredient of Ayran as well as many dishes like Yayla Corbasi - Turkish Yogurt Soup, Cacik (Turkish Yogurt with Cucumbers), and Cilbir - Turkish Poached Eggs.
It is no surprise that this super healthy and refreshing drink has been popular for thousands of years among the Turks.
What is Ayran?
Ayran is a creamy, refreshing, and healthy Turkish beverage made with plain yogurt, water, and salt.
It is widely popular in Turkey all year around and often consumed with many dishes including Meat Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas), Cheese Borek - Peynirli Borek, and Hunkar Begendi (Sultan's Delight).
Ayran has a long history in Turkey and is believed to have been consumed by Turkic tribes of Central Asia centuries ago.
The drink was originally made with sheep's milk and was a great way to stay hydrated during long journeys.
Over time, the recipe evolved to include cow's milk and other ingredients like salt.
Today, it is widely popular across Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Balkan countries under different names:
"Laban" in the Middle East and North Africa, "Doogh" in Iran and Afghanistan, "Lassi" in India, and "Ariani" in Greece.
Health Benefits of Ayran
- This refreshing Turkish yogurt drink is high in protein, minerals, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins.
- Also, Ayran is packed with electrolytes and helps to cool down your overheated body on extremely hot summer days. It is a quick and easy way to refill your body’s lost nutrients and minerals due to dehydration.
- Ayran is also an excellent source of beneficial bacteria necessary to regulate the human digestive system. A perfect cure for a sick tummy as well as a hangover.
Ingredients and Substitutes
With just a few ingredients, you can create this delicious and traditional beverage at home.
- Yogurt - Turkish Ayran is best when made with homemade yogurt. However, store-bought full-fat plain natural or Greek yogurt would also work perfectly with this savory drink.
- Sea salt - You can substitute it with kosher or table salt. Adjust the amount to your taste.
- Water - You can use cold drinking water or sparkling water. Adjust the amount to achieve your desired thickness of Ayran. The amount of water you will use depends on the thickness of the yogurt.
How to Make Homemade Ayran?
Making this refreshing Ayran - Turkish yogurt drink extremely easy and to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:
Place the yogurt in a large jug along with the salt and most of the cold water.
Depending on the thickness of the yogurt, and also how thick you want your drink, you might need to adjust the amount of water stated in the recipe.
Mix well until there are no lumps, and the salt is totally dissolved.
Add some ice cubes if you want it extra cold and refreshing.
Serve in a glass or a pitcher and garnish with fresh mint leaves for extra freshness.
For extra foamy and creamy ayran, you can use a blender or a stick blender.
All you need to do is to place water, yogurt, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy.
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
Top Tips From the Chef
- Ayran can be made with different types of yogurt, but traditionally it's made with plain, unsweetened yogurt.
- Depending on the thickness of the yogurt, and also how thick you want your drink, you might need to adjust the amount of water stated in the recipe.
- You can use sparkling water for a different Ayran drinking experience!
- For an extra foamy and creamy Turkish Ayran drink, you can use a blender or a stick blender.
What to Serve with Ayran (Turkish Yogurt Drink)?
The most common way to serve Ayran is to serve it on some ice in clear glasses or copper mugs with lots of froth on top.
I like adding some fresh mint leaves on top but it is totally optional.
This national Turkish drink is best when served with some delicious Turkish recipes such as Tavuk Sote (Turkish Chicken Sauté), Lahana Sarmasi - Turkish Cabbage Rolls, Perde Pilavi, Su Boregi - Water Borek, and Bamya - Turkish Okra Stew.
Recipe FAQs
Kefir is slightly sweet and is made with milk.
Ayran is salty, refreshing, and made with natural plain yogurt.
If your ayran didn't turn up creamy, flavorsome, and thick, simply add more yogurt and mix until it dissolved. Have a taste and add more if needed. Also, add some more salt as it also affects the flavor.
If you have any leftover Ayran, place it in a jug, cover it, and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days. When you want to drink it again, give it a good stir and serve it in a glass.
Related Recipes
Ayran is a refreshing and healthy Turkish yogurt drink that's easy to make and perfect for hot summer days.
Next time you're looking for a thirst-quenching drink, give Ayran a try and experience a taste of Turkey!
For more delicious recipes made with yogurt why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making this national Turkish Yogurt Drink "Ayran" as much as you enjoy drinking it! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
Ayran (Turkish Yogurt Drink)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 500 ml cold water
- 500 g Greek yogurt or plain natural yogurt
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- Place the yogurt in a large jug along with the salt and most of the cold water.
- Depending on the thickness of the yogurt, and also how thick you want your drink, you might need to adjust the amount of water stated in the recipe.
- Mix well until there are no lumps, and the salt is totally dissolved.
- Add some ice cubes if you want it extra cold and refreshing.
- Serve in a glass or a pitcher and garnish with fresh mint leaves for extra freshness.
- For extra foamy and creamy ayran, you can use a blender or a stick blender. All you need to do is to place water, yogurt, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth and frothy.
Notes
- Depending on the thickness of the yogurt, and also how thick you want your drink, you might need to adjust the amount of water stated in the recipe.
- You can use sparkling water for a different Ayran drinking experience!
- For an extra foamy and creamy Turkish Ayran drink, you can use a blender or a stick blender.
- If you have any leftover Ayran, place it in a jug, cover it, and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days. When you want to drink it again, give it a good stir and serve it in a glass.
- If your ayran didn't turn up creamy, flavorsome, and thick, simply add more yogurt and mix until it dissolved. Have a taste and add more if needed. Also, add some more salt as it also affects the flavor.
Nutrition
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Doran
Delicious , the best I've ever made!
Sam
This was so refreshing and went down well with my takeaway kababs.
Ayla Clulee
That's great, I am so pleased to hear that, Sam!
Best wishes
Ayla