Ayran drink is a refreshing salty 3 ingredient Turkish yogurt drink that takes only 2 minutes to make. It is served throughout the Middle East with different names and variations. Here I will show you 3 most popular ways to make and enjoy it.
Next time try this refreshing sweet banana milk.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- 3 ingredients, 5-minute recipe.
- Great for entertaining on a hot summer day.
- This popular drink is a great and healthy recipe for snack time.
This drink will make you enjoy whole milk yogurt to the fullest. Perked up with some salt, it goes pretty well with any meaty or spicy meal. It is especially delicious with kebabs and shawarma too.
Very adaptable to your liking, make it thicker or thinner is a personal preference. It is served throughout the Middle East with names like doogh and laban. I like to serve it also with moussaka and stuffed grape leaves.
📝 Ingredients
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
📋 Ingredient Notes
- I like whole milk yogurt more than low fat in this recipe. Low fat still works, but the whole milk gives a richer drink.
🥄 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- In a deep bowl, add yogurt and whisk for 10 seconds to make it lump-free.
- Add water and salt, then mix well. Here you have it, the plain Ayran.
- Add some fresh mint leaves, my favorite version, then whisk or blend to make a green drink.
- To make the frothy one, add some club soda and whisk with electric beaters. Pour in tall glasses with some ice.
💡 Amira's Tips
- Whisking this yogurt first makes it easier for the ingredients to blend with no lumps.
- You can use a hand whisk or a blender to make Ayran. For the green minty one it is better to use a blender so you make sure mint leaves are completely broken and blended into the yogurt drink. For the frothy version, you will reach a better froth using an electric hand (beaters) or blender.
🍽️ Serve With
- Serve Ayran as a snack with Simit, Manakeesh or Sfiha (Lahmacun).
- It works great to help with digestion after a heavy meal like Kofta or Marinated Lamb Chops.
- Great after this Okra Stew with Lamb (bamya) especially if you make it spicy.
🧺 Storage
Refrigerate - Leftover drink can be stored in a jar or pitcher with a lid on for up to 3 days. Drink might separate so give it a quick stir before serving.
💬 FAQs
I prefer whole milk yogurt, but you can use low fat or Greek yogurt. Be aware that you might want to add more water if using Greek yogurt. Make sure you are using non-flavored plain yogurt.
Some people use 1:1, 2:1 and even ½:1 yogurt to water ratio so making it thinner or thicker is really a personal preference.
Indian Lassi comes in sweet and salty varieties, although the sweet one is the most common. Salty lassi is similar to Ayran laban.
Ayran is made of yogurt while Kefir is made from milk. Kefir in the stores here is always flavored with fruit syrup.
⌛ Make Ahead
Although this drink is very quick to come together you can make the plain and minty ones 24 hours before serving. If making it frothy, mix in soda just before serving.
👩🍳 Variations
Aside from the plain, green and frothy Ayran here is what I've found. Some people add blend in garlic cloves and I have seen others make it tzatziki style by blending it with some cucumber as well.
📣 Related Recipes
- Banana milk is a sweet frothy milkshake drink that works great for a grab and go breakfast.
- Treat your self to earthy goodness with this matcha smoothie with mint.
- Guava juice is the perfect tropical drink, make it with just iced water or add some richness with milk.
- This creamy and delicious Date Shake Recipe uses only three ingredients. It's a healthy treat ideal for a quick breakfast or snack.
More Turkish Recipes
- Craving crispy, golden pillows of sweetness? Look no further than Tulumba! These bite-sized donuts from the Middle East are dunked in fragrant syrup for an irresistible treat.
- Turkish Delight Recipe, also called Lokum in Turkey, is a delicately flavored jelly candy that can be served all year round. Although rosewater is used to scent this recipe, other flavors can also be used.
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Ayran (yogurt drink)
Ingredients
Basic Ayran:
- 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt.
- 1 cup cold water.
- Salt to your liking.
Green Ayran:
- Basic Ayran.
- Fresh mint leaves to your liking. I’ve used 6-8 small mint leaves per cup of Ayran.
Foamy Ayran:
- 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt.
- ½ cup cold water.
- ½ cup sparkling water or club soda
- Salt to taste.
- Dried mint for garnishing optional
Instructions
To make the basic Ayran:
- In a deep bowl add yogurt and whisk to make it smooth.
- Gradually add water while whisking.
- Season with salt and taste to adjust.
To make Green (mint) Ayran:
- Finely chop fresh mint leaves and add to the basic ayran. You can also use a blender for easy blending.
Foamy Ayran:
- In a deep bowl combine all the ingredients and beat with an electric mixer until foamy, take about 2 minutes.
- Pour in cups and spoon the foam on top.
- Garnish with some dry mint flakes.
- Serve chilled or over ice cubes.
Video
Notes
- Whisking the yogurt first makes it easier for the ingredients to blend with no lumps.
- You can use a hand whisk or a blender to make Ayran. For the green minty one it is better to use a blender so you make sure mint leaves are completely broken and blended into the yogurt drink. For the frothy Ayran you will reach a better froth using an electric hand (beaters) blender.
- Some people use 1:1, 2:1 and even ½:1 yogurt to water ratio so making it thinner or thicker is really a personal preference.
- Serve with: Ayran can be enjoyed as a light snack with simit or it can be enjoyed with heavy or spicy meals. I saw Ayran served during Ramadan iftar in Istanbul along with kebabs.
Nutrition
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Vera
Delicious!! Thank you very much!
Quick questions: Can you use ayran as a "base" to make more ayran? Or perhaps mix it with plain yogurt as part of the recipe?
I live in California, USA. I've noticed that certain imported "authentic" ayran lists good bacteria strains not found in plain yogurt or even local store-bough ayran. I also notice it has a distinct taste that I really enjoy 🙂
Amira
Thanks Vera for your comment, I haven't tried that before. If you do please come back and share your experience with us.