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Ayran
Salted yogurt drink, frothy and chilled
Ayran is what Turks drink with lunch: a chilled, foamy blend of yogurt, water and a pinch of salt, poured from copper jugs alongside cheese pide, börek, lentil soup and bean stews. In the Susurluk area of Balıkesir it is whisked so hard that it arrives under a thick head of foam, and roadside cafés all over Anatolia serve it in tin cups on hot summer days. It is tangy, refreshing and cooling with spicy food. Make it just before you sit down and drink it ice-cold. Chef's tip: whisk the yogurt alone with the salt until smooth before adding any water, and you'll get a silky drink with no lumps.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Whisk 9 oz plain whole-milk yogurt and ½ tsp salt in a jug or blender for 30 seconds until completely smooth and glossy.
1 minStep 2: Add 1 cup cold water a little at a time, whisking hard or blending on high, until the drink is the thickness of single cream and a thick layer of foam forms on top. Using strained (Greek) yogurt without extra water is a common mistake: it comes out heavy rather than refreshing, so add a splash more water if needed.
1 minStep 3: Taste, adjust the salt and pour into chilled glasses with the foam on top. Add 4 fresh mint leaves if you like and drink straight away.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 80 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ayran take?
- About 5 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of plain whole-milk yogurt?
- Sour cream or buttermilk, same amount.
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