Borhani (Spiced Mint Yogurt Drink)
Local name: বোরহানি
In short: A cooling Bangladeshi yogurt drink blended with mint, cilantro, green chili and mustard seed, served salty and sour alongside rich biryani. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 40 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 90 kcal
At weddings and feasts across Bangladesh, a glass of borhani arrives beside the kacchi biryani. This salty, sour yogurt drink is thinned with water and blended with mint, cilantro, green chili, mustard seed and black salt. Its sharp flavors cut through the rich meat and ghee and cool the mouth between bites. It takes ten minutes of work plus time to chill, and keeps for two days in the fridge.
Instructions
- Soak the mustard seeds in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes to soften them.
- Blend the soaked mustard seeds and their water with the mint, cilantro, green chilies, cumin, black pepper and 250 ml (1 cup) of the cold water for about 1 minute, until you have a bright green paste.
- Whisk the yogurt in a large bowl until completely smooth, then whisk in the remaining 250 ml (1 cup) of water, the sugar, the black salt and the fine salt.
- Stir the green paste into the yogurt and taste. Add more salt, black salt or chili if you like, then cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Stir well, because the herbs settle, and pour into tall glasses over ice. Serve cold with biryani or any rich meal.
Tips
- Whisk the yogurt until completely smooth before adding any water, or the drink will turn out lumpy. Full-fat yogurt gives a creamier result than low-fat.
- If you cannot find black salt, use regular salt and a squeeze of lime juice for a similar salty and sour edge. Fresh herbs matter here, so avoid dried mint.
Questions and answers
What is borhani?
Borhani is a salty, spiced yogurt drink flavored with mint, cilantro, green chili and mustard seed. In Bangladesh it is served with rich rice dishes, especially kacchi biryani, at weddings and feasts.
Why is borhani served with biryani?
Its sourness, salt and fresh herbs balance the richness of the meat and ghee. It also cools the mouth after spicy food, and many people find it settles the stomach after a heavy meal.
Can I make borhani ahead of time?
Yes. Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days and stir well before serving, since the herbs and yogurt separate. Add ice only when you pour it, so it does not water down.
How long does it take to make Borhani (Spiced Mint Yogurt Drink)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Borhani (Spiced Mint Yogurt Drink)?
About 90 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 90 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 430 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
