Introduction
You beat plain yoghurt with water until smooth, then season it with salt and crushed dried mint for a cold, savory drink. It takes about 5 minutes to mix and works well with grilled food, rice dishes, or any meal where you want something cooling and light.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 1
Ingredients
- 1⅓ cup plain yoghurt
- 1⅔ cup water
- Salt, to taste
- Crushed dried mint (optional)
Instructions
- Pour yoghurt into a bowl and beat until smooth. Add water and continue beating until thoroughly blended. Alternatively, combine in an electric blender and blend until smooth.
- Season to taste with salt and dried mint. Chill thoroughly and serve in tall glasses, with ice.
Variations
- Replace plain yoghurt with plain Greek yoghurt and add a little more water as needed. You get a thicker drink with a more pronounced tang.
- Replace crushed dried mint with finely chopped fresh mint. The flavor is brighter and less earthy.
- Replace part of the water with cold sparkling water after blending. The drink becomes lighter and slightly foamy.
- Replace plain yoghurt with plain unsweetened coconut yogurt. The texture is usually a bit thinner, and the drink picks up a mild coconut note.
Tips for Success
- If you are mixing by hand, add the water gradually to help it blend evenly.
- Season lightly with salt first, then taste again after chilling since cold drinks taste less salty.
- Crush the dried mint between your fingers before adding it so it distributes more evenly.
- Chill the drink before pouring over ice so the ice does not dilute it too quickly.
Storage and Reheating
Store it in a sealed jar or other airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Stir or shake before serving, since separation is normal.
FAQ
Can you make this in a blender instead of whisking by hand?
Yes. A blender gives you a very smooth texture quickly, especially if the yoghurt is thick.
Why did the drink separate after chilling?
That is normal for a yogurt-and-water drink. Shake it in a jar or whisk it again before serving.
Can you use Greek yogurt instead of plain yoghurt?
Yes, but you will likely need a little more water to get the same pourable consistency.
How much salt should you add?
Start with a small pinch, mix, and taste. The drink should taste lightly savory, not briny.
Attribution: Recipe text from “Cookbook:Ayran (Turkish Yogurt Drink)” on Wikibooks (© Wikibooks contributors).
Source: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Cookbook:Ayran_%28Turkish_Yogurt_Drink%29
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Additions: Editorial additions and formatting changes were made for clarity and usability. Ingredients, instructions, and other sections may be adapted where appropriate.

