Turkmen Ayran
Cold yogurt drink mixed with water, salt, and dried mint.
Preparation: 5 min · Cooking: 0 min · Total: 5 min · 4 servings
Ingredients
- 480 ml plain full-fat pasteurized yogurt
- 600 ml drinking water
- 0.5 tsp fine salt
- 2 tsp dried mint
Instructions
Measure the cold ingredients
Measure 480 ml plain full-fat yogurt made from pasteurized milk, 600 ml drinking water, 1/2 tsp fine salt, and 2 tsp dried mint. Chill the yogurt and water. Use plain, not sweetened or fruit-flavoured, yogurt.
Smooth the yogurt first
Put the yogurt in a blender jug or deep bowl. Whisk until smooth, scraping down any thick lumps. This prevents small yogurt clumps in the finished drink.
Add water gradually and whisk
Add the cold water in two additions, whisking or blending after each. Add the salt and dried mint, then whisk vigorously until the drink is evenly mixed and lightly foamy.
Smooth and pourable, without yogurt lumps.
Check the texture and salt
Taste with a clean spoon. It should be gently salty and easy to drink, not as thick as a dip. Do not add more salt automatically; yogurt brands vary in flavour and thickness.
Serve immediately, well chilled
Stir the drink once more, pour into the glasses, and serve. Keep the remainder refrigerated and stir again if it separates.
Previous timer disabled: 0 seconds
Tips
- Use chilled yogurt and drinking water. The yogurt contains milk; use a labelled dairy-free yogurt only if making an explicitly dairy-free variation.
Common mistakes
- Do not heat this drink; whisking cold yogurt first prevents lumps.
Substitutions
- Use the same amount of plain low-fat yogurt made from pasteurized milk; the drink will be thinner.
Storage
Serve freshly made. Keep covered at 4°C or below and use within 24 hours. Discard if left unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when the surrounding temperature is above 32°C.
Reheating
Serve cold; do not reheat the yogurt drink.
About this recipe
Ayran is a yogurt-and-water drink found in Turkmenistan and across the region. This version adds dried mint to the basic salted drink.
Editorial approval does not establish independent kitchen testing. Check allergens and follow safe food handling.