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5.0 from 3 votes

Ayran Recipe - Turkish Yogurt Drink

Enjoy the deliciously refreshing Ayran, a Turkish salted yogurt drink made from yogurt, water, and a pinch of salt. Serve it as an accompaniment to your favorite kabobs and meat dishes, or treat yourself to a healthy midday snack to cool off on a hot day.

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 75 kcal
Cuisine: Turkish

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole milk plain yogurt unsweetened
  • 1 cup cold water
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Optional Add-Ins
  • A few leaves fresh mint chopped or dried mint

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place yogurt in a bowl and whisk until smooth and no lumps remain.
  2. Add water and salt to the bowl and whisk vigorously until combined and the texture is creamy and smooth.
  3. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
  4. If preferred, add in some chopped mint for flavor. Pour into a glass jar, cover tightly with a lid, and chill until ready to serve.

Notes

  • The ayran served in most kebab restaurants has a layer of foam on top, filled with visible air bubbles. Many Turkish people consider frothy ayran a sign of freshness and consider it the best part of the drink. When making it at home, the way to achieve bubbles on top is to whisk or shake it vigorously.
  • The ideal yogurt-to-water ratio is 2 to 1. In other words, to make 4 servings of this yogurt drink, I use 2 cups of yogurt and 1 cup of water. However, you can adjust the consistency to your preference by adding more or less of each ingredient. The same goes for the amount of salt you use.
  • This drink is best served cold. For the best results, make a batch and store it in a glass jar in the fridge. You can also put the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes, shake it vigorously, and strain it into a glass. Be sure to strain out the ice to avoid diluting the drink.
  • Since ayran is a dairy-based drink, it should be stored in the fridge (At or below 40°F (4°C)) to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.
  • Yields: This recipe makes 4-5 cups of ayran, ideal for 4 servings. The nutritional information below is per serving.
  • Yogurt: While I highly recommend using whole milk yogurt, you can also use low- or nonfat yogurt, though it won't be as creamy. Greek yogurt can also be used, but you should use more water (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) to get the right consistency. 
  • Storage: This yogurt drink will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 2-3 days as long as it is kept in an airtight container (such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid). Be sure to shake well before serving.
  • Foam on top: The ayran served in most kebab restaurants has a layer of foam on top, filled with visible air bubbles. Many Turkish people consider frothy ayran a sign of freshness and consider it the best part of the drink. When making it at home, the way to achieve bubbles on top is to whisk or shake it vigorously.
  • Adjust consistency and taste: The ideal yogurt-to-water ratio is 2 to 1. In other words, to make 4 servings of this yogurt drink, I use 2 cups of yogurt and 1 cup of water. However, you can adjust the consistency to your preference by adding more or less of each ingredient. The same goes for the amount of salt you use.
  • Serve it chilled: This drink is best served cold. For the best results, make a batch and store it in a glass jar in the fridge. You can also put the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes, shake it vigorously, and strain it into a glass. Be sure to strain out the ice to avoid diluting the drink.
  • Keep it in the fridge: Since ayran is a dairy-based drink, it should be stored in the fridge (At or below 40°F (4°C)) to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.

Nutrition Information

Calories 75kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 16mg (5%) Sodium 205mg (9%) Potassium 190mg (5%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 121IU (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 150mg (15%) Iron 0.1mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 75

% Daily Value*

Calories 75kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 205mg 9%
Potassium 190mg 4%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 121IU 2%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 150mg 15%
Iron 0.1mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.