Ayran (Turkish Salted Yogurt Drink)

Before you start

Ayran is a cold, savory yogurt drink from Turkey, made with just plain yogurt, water and salt. It is served everywhere from kebab shops to homes, often alongside grilled meat or rice dishes. The flavor is tangy and lightly salty, and the texture is smooth with a thick, frothy head on top.

The ratio of yogurt to water decides the body. Equal volumes give a drink that is creamy but still refreshing; more yogurt makes it thicker, more water makes it lighter. Whisking or blending hard is what creates the foam, so do not skip it. Use full-fat plain yogurt with live cultures for the richest flavor; sweetened or flavored yogurts do not work.

Ingredients

• 250 g (1 cup) plain whole-milk yogurt — unsweetened
• 250 ml (1 cup) very cold water
• ¼ to ½ tsp fine salt — to taste
• Optional dried mint — a pinch for garnish
• To serve ice cubes (optional)

Method

1. Put the yogurt in a blender or bowl and stir it until smooth.
2. Add half the cold water and the salt. Blend or whisk until combined.
3. Add the remaining water and blend on high for 20 to 30 seconds, or whisk vigorously by hand, until the drink is frothy and a thick foam forms on top.
4. Taste and add more salt or water as you like. It should be tangy and lightly salty.
5. Pour into glasses, spooning the foam on top. Sprinkle with a pinch of dried mint and serve cold.

Tips for success

• Use very cold water. It makes the drink more refreshing and helps the foam hold.
• Strained Greek yogurt is thicker; use about 150 g with 300 ml water to get a similar body.
• Blending gives the most foam, but a vigorous hand whisk or a jar shaken hard also works.

Substitutions

Whole-milk yogurt

Low-fat yogurt makes a lighter, tangier ayran with less foam. Kefir gives a slightly fizzy, more sour drink.

Water

Use soda water for a sparkling version similar to Persian doogh.

Salt

Black salt adds a savory, slightly sulfurous note. Use a little less.

Variations

Mint ayran

Blend a few fresh mint leaves with the yogurt for a cooler, herbal flavor.

Cucumber ayran

Blend in 50 g peeled cucumber for a lighter, greener drink.

Troubleshooting

No foam on top

It was not blended hard enough. Blend longer on high speed, or shake in a sealed jar.

Too sour

Your yogurt is very tangy. Add a little more water or use a milder yogurt.

Too thin

Add more yogurt or less water next time.

Storage

Serve right away for the best foam. Refrigerate any leftover ayran in a sealed container and drink within 1 day; stir before serving. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.