Minted Anatolian Ayran
Cold salted yogurt drink with dried mint and a light foam.
Preparation: 5 min · Cooking: 0 min · Total: 5 min · 4 servings
Ingredients
- 480 ml plain full-fat pasteurized yogurt — Contains milk.
- 600 ml drinking water
- 2 tsp dried mint
- 0.5 tsp fine salt (optional)
- 8 pc ice cubes made from drinking water (optional)
Instructions
Chill and measure
Measure 480 ml plain full-fat pasteurized yogurt, 600 ml drinking water, 2 tsp dried mint, and up to 1/2 tsp fine salt. Keep the yogurt and water cold; use clean utensils. Use 8 pre-frozen ice cubes made from drinking water if serving over ice.
Whisk yogurt smooth
Put the 480 ml cold yogurt in a clean jug. Whisk until smooth, breaking up any thick lumps.
Whisk in water and mint
Whisk in the 600 ml cold drinking water in two additions. Add the 2 tsp dried mint and 1/4 tsp of the measured salt. Whisk vigorously until the drink is smooth, pourable, and lightly foamy.
Smooth, pourable, and lightly foamy, without yogurt lumps.
Taste and adjust
Taste a spoonful with a clean spoon. Add some or all of the remaining 1/4 tsp salt only if needed, keeping the total at or below 1/2 tsp. Whisk once more; the drink should be mildly salty, not thick like a dip.
Mildly salty and easy to drink, not thick like a dip.
Pour over ice and serve
If using them, put two of the 8 ice cubes made from drinking water in each of four clean glasses. Stir the ayran, divide evenly among the glasses, and serve cold. Cover and refrigerate any remainder promptly at 4°C or below; use within 24 hours. Do not leave it unrefrigerated longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 32°C. Do not heat it.
Previous timer disabled: 0 seconds
Previous timer disabled: 0 seconds
Tips
- Whisk vigorously just before serving to restore the light foam. Yogurt contains milk.
Common mistakes
- Do not use sweetened yogurt or heat the drink.
- Do not add all the salt before tasting; brands of yogurt differ in tanginess.
Substitutions
- For a thicker ayran, reduce the drinking water slightly; keep the yogurt pasteurized and unsweetened.
Storage
Cover and refrigerate at 4°C or below; use within 24 hours. Discard after more than 2 hours unrefrigerated, or 1 hour above 32°C.
Reheating
Serve cold; do not heat or reheat.
About this recipe
Ayran is a Turkish drink of yogurt, water, and salt. This Anatolian-style version adds dried mint.
Editorial approval does not establish independent kitchen testing. Check allergens and follow safe food handling.