Ayran is a super refreshing and healthy Turkish drink made from yogurt. Salty yogurt, water and salt frothed up to beautiful perfection. Ready in 2 minutes. It goes perfectly with kebabs and any spicy meal.
Yogurt is a staple ingredient in several Turkish recipes. When life gives us yogurt, we make yogurt drink ayran, cucumber cacik dip or rice yogurt soup.
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What is Ayran?
It is a simple mixture of yogurt, water and salt. Although non-Turkish people are likely to consider it as a summer drink probably because it is refreshing, this easy savory yogurt drink can’t be limited to one season.
People in Turkey drink it all year round pairing with anything from menemen (eggs with tomatoes) to their favorite borek, cheese stuffed phyllo sheets or pide stuffed with ground beef.
We eat a lot of yogurt alongside the dishes we have for lunch or dinner. For example, it’s very common in Turkey that you have simit, Turkish style bagel and ayran for lunch. So it won’t be wrong to say that it is as common as water here.
Although it might sound similar to Indian lassi, it's different because no sugar is included in this Turkish version yogurt drink.
How to Make Ayran
Although you can easily find it at supermarkets, I think you’d better make it at home because you need three ingredients and it’s ready just in two minutes. Plus, you can adjust the measurements to your taste and how thick you’d like your drink.
I think you can get the best consistency with 2 cups yogurt and 1 cup water. The amount of salt depends on your taste. My choice would be ½ teaspoon.
The only thing you need to do is to place these three ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If you don’t have a blender, you can use an electric hand mixer. Don’t worry if you don’t have either of them. Put the ingredients in a jar, tighten the lid and shake until smooth.
Which Yogurt is Used?
If you make yogurt at home, it is the best. You can definitely use store-bought yogurt as well. Just make sure it’s not sweetened. You can use Greek yogurt too but you will probably need to add extra water as it is thicker.
How to Make Ayran Foam
If you want a lot of foams on top of your ayran, you can substitute sparkling water for water in the recipe. There will be no difference in taste. On the other hand, I don’t think the foams are that important. The tangy and salty taste matters more for me.
How Healthy is It?
Besides being a wonderful thirst-quincher, this Turkish yogurt drink is very healthy too. For one thing, it is good for your digestive system, gut flora and a good source of protein and calcium thanks to yogurt. Also, it’s the best treat when your body dehydrate and lose salt during summer months.
Ayran for Weight loss?
I’ve seen so many Turkish articles claiming that yogurt and the drink made of it helps weight loss. I’m not an expert on this but it’s obviously way better than sweetened drinks. It doesn’t contain sugar, which makes it healthy and I’m sure helps weight loss for those who drinks something sweet daily. What’s more, it helps you feel full for a longer time.
How to Drink It
Ayran is mainly the mixture of yogurt, cold water and salt, but there are some variations. The most popular one is produced in Susurluk, a small town in the West of Turkey. What makes its ayran special is that it’s so frothy. You can imagine how it’s fun to drink it! The first part you have is its froth on the top and then you reach ayran.
In some places, a few sprigs of fresh mint is added to give it more freshness and it becomes like a different drink with this combination! I prefer my ayran plain if I’m having it with some food, but I love to add fresh mint into it if I’m drinking it just for pleasure.
Tourists visiting Turkey might have interesting reactions when they first drink ayran. Although they know the taste of yogurt, some might have difficulty to get used to it. And when they start loving it, they always order it in restaurants.
Which Foods to Serve with Turkish Yogurt Drink?
Although you can always have it on its own, here are some of my favorite foods to eat with it: Lahmacun, Gozleme, Lamb Shish Kabob and Chicken Doner Kebabs.
More Yogurt Recipes
- Yogurt Parfait
- Haydari
- Yogurt Fruit Dip
- Frozen Yogurt
- Cilbir Turkish Eggs
Other Turkish Drinks
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📖 Recipe
Ayran Turkish Yogurt Drink
A super refreshing healthy yogurt drink that is not sweet but savory.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 3 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain yogurt
- 1 cup cold water
- ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to your taste
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve cold optionally with fresh mint springs.
Notes
If you use Greek yogurt, you will probably need to add extra water for the desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 7.6 g
- Sodium: 465.9 mg
- Fat: 5.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.6 g
- Protein: 5.7 g
- Cholesterol: 21.2 mg
majjiga Lover says
We call it Majjiga.
Zerrin says
Didn't know it. Thanks for your contribution!
Abdul Waheed says
Its magical drink and the way you described it, made it more attractive. I liked the information about Ayran yogurt drink too. Did not know much about this before visiting your interesting page. Thanks for sharing dear Zerrin!
Aaron says
There is an Iraqi restaurant here in Portland, Maine on Forest Ave called Babylon. This was my first experience with Ayran, The woman who served us warned against its sourness and saltiness since most Americans are not used to it. I loved it, and will order it whenever I go!
Bob says
Recently spent some time in Ankara and was introduced to this drink during a light lunch. At first was not to sure but by the end of my stay was absolutely hooked and was wondering how I was going to find it when I got back to the uk. Thanks for this recipe, problem solved and Ayran back on the menu!! 😀
Zerrin says
Great to hear that Bob! I know people from abroad find it a bit strange when they first try it. Then it becomes addictive. Isn't it great that it's very easy to make it at home. Enjoy!
johan says
Hi Zerrin
Thanks for sharing.
Last night we arrived at Atatürk from Sicily where we ate a lot of sweet stuff - because that's what they do at most places; Gelato, custard pastries etc. Healthy alternatives were not easy to find. At night or our own meals included lovely cheeses and meats.
I have never been exposed to Turkish food, but was quite surprised to find a health food restaurant selling Turkish food. We bough what was called Kabak Grated, Ayran and a kebab of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil - like a Caprese salad on a stick.
The Kabak Grated we loved because of all the cheese, some minced meat and zucchini. I could only find this english recipe
Ayran, the waiter, said was salt, water and yogurt. I could not believe my luck.
BTW: I Sicily you could buy yogurt in the natural from but most were sweetened - like in sugar.
At home in South Africa, I start my day with a Kefir and Yogurt mixed with dried seeds and salt.
Now that I know how to make frothy Ayran, as per your recipe, I have a new drink to enjoy.
Thanks.
Johan
Jo-An VanSweden says
thank-you for the refresher on how to make Ayran we lived in Turkey many years ago and never forgot the great taste of Ayran. Wonderful!!!!
Annette newton says
Back in England should we buy natural yogurt or Greek yogurt not to sure,but we drink a lot of it when we are in Turkey. Thank if ou could let me know.
Zerrin says
Hi Anette, it doesn't matter; you can use both of them to make ayran. If you use Greek yogurt, you need to use more water though.
Mina Joshi says
So refreshing and healthy. This is very similar to the lassi we make to serve with Indian food. I love the cups you have used to serve Aryan.
Reeni says
I've heard you mention this drink so often Zerrin! I'm glad to finally know what it is about and how to make it. You make it sound very refreshing and delicious! Would love to try it.
Zerrin says
We love to accompany our foods with ayran in Turkey! Better than coke! I'm sure you will love it when you try!
Lorna Moravec says
This is magical. Something so delicious and yet so very simple. I have been eating yogurt for years and I don't like it without honey or fruit in it, but I like ayran even better than sweet yogurt. Thank you very much. If you had not posted this on here I would still not know about it.
Zerrin says
Hi Lorna! I hardly ever have sweet yogurt. I used to love to add a little sugar in it as a kid, and I sometimes add fruit in it now. But my favorite use of yogurt is always savory. Ayran is one of them and the other is cacik, another refreshing recipe with it. A mixture of yogurt, water, salt, cucumber and dried mint. We have it as a side dish, but I can even crave for it at nights! If you love ayran, I'm sure you will love cacik too!
Tracey@Tangled Noodle says
I had this for the very first time a few months ago and must admit that the first taste was unexpected - very salty and tangy at the same time. But after a few more sips, I enjoyed it very much. It was incredibly refreshing on such a hot day! Now that it's summer here, I'll give this a try at home. 😎
Zerrin says
Hi Tracey! I can guess how it was weird when you first taste it as such cold and refreshing drinks are generally sweet. It's great that you loved it then! Do you know why it's made salty? You know our body loses salt when we sweat on hot summer days, so ayran helps our body providing the salt it needs.Take care!
Bam's Kitchen says
How refreshing and love the delightful foam on top. Your cups are so beautiful. Take care, BAM
Zerrin says
Thank you Bam! We love to have the foam fisrt! The more foam, the funnier! I love these copper cups, which are traditional used to serve water or ayran in some cities. I bought them from Diyarbakir, a city in the east of Turkey.
Chet Ivory says
Moonmetalsmithing.com makes high end ayran cups to order, in the States, along with other Turkish ware!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
Hi Zerrin! This is a new drink to me so thank you for the introduction. I love yogurt based drinks like lassi or smoothies. Lovely photos and the froth is great:)
Zerrin says
Hi Nancy! I had had no idea about lassi until some FB friends told that ayran is very similar to lassi. So I'm sure you will love our ayran if you love lassi!
Turkey's For Life says
Thanks a lot for the mention, Zerrin, and the kind words to go with it. Think we need to have a go at making our own ayran. We love the really frothy versions. Yummy! 🙂
Julia
Zerrin says
My pleasure Julia! Your dad made me laugh a lot! I had no idea that people from other countries think ayran is a kind of milk:) You should try it with Kızılay mineral water too!
TasteofBeirut says
here too it is called ayran and most people buy it in the markets or order it at restaurants; haven't met anyone yet who actually makes it at home; usually here people sprinkle dry mint powder on it. Love your version with the froth, yum! the best thing with kebab, I agree!
Zerrin says
So it has the same name there, great! I heard that people in Cyprus sprinkle dried mint on it too. Love to share such cultural things with you Joumana!
Rose barrett says
I also agree, my favorite turkish drink!!