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, with our friend giving 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.
It was incredibly refreshing. Fresh, tangy and salty, it was the perfect drink for a hot, steamy June day.
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 essentially the same.
It’s not surprising that yogurt drinks are popular in so many countries in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It’s 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. And it’s delicious!
Middle Eastern Yogurt Drink
This Middle Eastern yogurt drink comes with many different names: Ayran, Doogh and Tan. It is fresh, sparkling and delicious. Perfect for hydrating on a hot summer’s day.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 cups sparkling water
- 1 1/2 cups yogurt
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 sprig mint (optional)
Instructions
- 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 to my taste, and I encourage you to mix to your own personal preference.
- Mix the sparkling water, yogurt and salt in a large pitcher. Whisk until the yogurt is fully mixed into the water.
- Serve immediately over ice with a few mint leaves.
Keywords: doogh, ayran, tan, yogurt milk, probiotic, healthy, summer, Iran, Turkey, Lebanese, Bulgaria, Balkans, Russia, Israel
What a wonderful treat on a warm spring day! We made this with our fresh mint.
★★★★★
Great!
This is a traditional recipe that is very popular in a number of Middle Eastern cultures. I quite enjoy it, particularly on a hot day. Feel free to have a bowl of yogurt, but there certainly isn’t anything wrong with making a refreshing yogurt drink.