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Home » Beverage Recipes

Ayran (Turkish Yogurt Drink)

Published: Jan 29, 2021 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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A popular Turkish savory yogurt drink that is served throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean region with different names. This Turkish drink is super easy to make and goes well with almost any meal.
Total time 2 minutes
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Ayran 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 Ayran.

Next time try this refreshing sweet banana milk.

3 cups of different flavors of Ayran placed on a wooden surface.
Ayran can be prepared 3 different ways, plain is my favorite.

Table of contents

  • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
  • 📝 Ingredients
    • 📋 Ingredient Notes
  • 🥄 Instructions
  • 💡 Expert Tips
  • 💬 FAQs
  • 👩‍🍳 Variations
  • Recipe At A Glance
  • 📣 Related Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love It

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 specially delicious with kebabs and shawarma too.

It is 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 dolma.

📝 Ingredients

Ayran ingredients on a white marble table.
Just 3 ingredients required to prepare Ayran.

📋 Ingredient Notes

  • I like whole milk yogurt 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.

A collage of 4 images showing how to make Ayran drink.
Making Ayran only takes 2 minutes of your time.
  1. In a deep bowl add yogurt and whisk for 10 seconds to make it lump free.
  2. Add water and salt then mix well. Here you have it the plain Ayran.
  3. Add some fresh mint leaves then whisk or blend to make a green Ayran.
  4. To make the frothy one, add some club soda and whisk with electric beaters.

💡 Expert 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 Ayran you will reach a better froth using an electric hand (beaters) blender.

💬 FAQs

What kind of yogurt to use?

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.

What the yogurt to water ratio for ayran recipe?

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.

Ayran vs Lassi

Indian Lassi comes in sweet and salty varieties although the sweet one is the most common. Salty lassi is similar to Ayran laban.

Ayran vs Kefir

Ayran is made of yogurt while Kefir is made from milk. Kefir in the stores here is always flavored with fruit syrup.

What to serve with ayran

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.

👩‍🍳 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.

Recipe At A Glance

Ayran (Yogurt Drink)

📣 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.

I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
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If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

Three cups showing three different ways to serve Ayran.

Ayran (yogurt drink)

A popular Turkish savory yogurt drink that is served throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean region with different names. This Turkish drink is super easy to make and goes well with almost any meal.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
Diet: Halal, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 100kcal
Author: Amira

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.

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

Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 253mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 162IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 1mg
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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

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Comments

  1. Vera

    November 18, 2021 at 8:50 am

    5 stars
    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Amira

      November 23, 2021 at 8:39 am

      Thanks Vera for your comment, I haven't tried that before. If you do please come back and share your experience with us.

      Reply

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Hey Y'all, I'm Amira.
I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by!
I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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