Ayran (Turkish Salted Yogurt Drink)
In short: A cold, frothy drink of yogurt whisked with water and a pinch of salt, the refreshing partner to kebabs, pide and lahmacun. It takes about 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 45 kcal
Ayran is the everyday drink of Türkiye: plain yogurt thinned with cold water and seasoned with salt. It is poured with kebabs, lahmacun, pide and börek, and its sour, salty coolness cuts through rich and spicy food. In summer people drink it all day. Making it takes five minutes, and the trick for a frothy top is a vigorous whisk or a few seconds in a blender.
Instructions
- Put the yogurt and salt in a large jug and whisk until completely smooth.
- Pour in the cold water slowly, whisking constantly, until the drink is evenly blended and frothy.
- Taste and adjust. It should be refreshing, lightly salty and tangy, and thin enough to pour.
- Chill for 30 minutes, or serve over ice. Whisk again just before pouring so the foam returns, and sprinkle with dried mint if you like.
Tips
- For the classic foamy top, shake the ayran hard in a closed jar for 30 seconds or give it a quick spin in a blender.
- For a fizzy ayran, replace half of the still water with chilled sparkling water and stir gently.
Questions and answers
What does ayran taste like?
Cool, creamy and lightly salty, with the gentle sourness of yogurt. It is more refreshing than sweet drinks, especially with grilled or spicy food.
What do you drink ayran with?
Kebabs, lahmacun, börek, pide and other rich or spicy dishes. The salt and acidity refresh the palate between bites.
How long does homemade ayran keep?
Up to 2 days in the fridge. It separates on standing, so whisk or shake it again before you serve it.
How long does it take to make Ayran (Turkish Salted Yogurt Drink)?
About 5 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ayran (Turkish Salted Yogurt Drink)?
About 45 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 45 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
