Middle Eastern Yogurt Drink: Ayran & Doogh

Ayran or doogh is a refreshing and sparkling yogurt drink. Fresh, tangy, and salty, it is also sugar-free and probiotic! Perfect for a hot summer’s day.

I was first introduced to Ayran, a Middle Eastern yogurt drink, while visiting a friend in Istanbul. We took an open-air ferry across the Bosphorus, and our friend gave us the local’s version of a tour.

A glass of Ayran was part of the deal. “You either love it or hate it,” he told us. And we loved it.

A Popular Beverage

This fresh and sparkling Middle Eastern yogurt drink has many different names: Doogh, Ayran, and Tahn among others. The exact proportion of water, yogurt, and salt will vary depending on the recipe and personal preference, but otherwise, they are all fairly similar.

It’s not surprising that yogurt drinks are popular in so many countries in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. They are a refreshing and healthy way to stay hydrated.

• Yogurt is probiotic and provides some calories, without a large sugar or protein hit.
• The sea salt helps with hydration.
• Ayran is refreshing and delicious!
• I really enjoy it with sparkling water and mint. But it is equally popular without any additional flavors.

Ayran Yogurt Drink

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

This Middle Eastern yogurt drink comes with many different names: ayran, doogh, and tahn. It is a fresh, sparkling, and delicious drink. Perfect for hydrating on a hot summer’s day.

• Author: Emillie
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Total Time: 2 minutes
• Yield: Serves 4
• Category: Beverage
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups water (sparkling or still)
• 1 1/2 cups yogurt
• 1/4 tsp salt (to taste)
• 2 sprigs of mint (optional)

Instructions

1. Like most traditional recipes, this yogurt drink should be made to reflect individual tastes. It can be made with sparkling water or still water. The ratio of yogurt to water can be altered to suit your taste. It is often much saltier and could be made with up to 1/2 tsp of salt. These proportions are what I enjoy, and I encourage you to mix to your personal preference.
2. Mix the sparkling water, yogurt, and salt in a large pitcher. Whisk until the yogurt is fully mixed into the water. 
3. To flavor ayran with mint, rinse the springs of mint. Crush them lightly in your hands to release the flavors, then add them to the pitcher.
4. Serve immediately over ice.
5. If you don’t drink it all right away, store it in the fridge, and mix it again before serving it a second time.

Keywords: doogh, ayran, tan, yogurt milk, probiotic, healthy, summer, Iran, Turkey, Lebanese, Bulgaria, Balkans, Russia, Israel