Ayran – Refreshing Yoghurt Drink

Prep time 10 min Cooling time 30 min
Ayran is simply yoghurt blended into a smooth and refreshing drink that can kick start your day as a smoothie, serve it alongside a summer grilled lunch or help you cool off on a hot afternoon.

Long before marketing geniuses jumped on the probiotic panacea, the Pharaohs, Genghis Khan and Alexander The Great appreciated the health giving properties of yoghurt. It is an excellent source of Calcium, Vitamin D and high-quality protein. It maintains the balance of bacteria necessary for a healthy digestive system, boosts the immune system and is a significant source of Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorous, Roboflavin, Iodine, Zinc, Vitamin B12 and B6.

So why buy ready-made probiotics? Two cups of yoghurt mixed with 2 cups of water can give you all the probiotics you need at significantly reduced price to that of branded products. I did the math.  (That’s what retired people do with their time. Cost out probiotic drinks).

What You Need (for two)

2 Cups plain yogurt
2 Cups cold water

How to Make It 

1. Pour yogurt into a bowl and beat until smooth, add water and continue beating until thoroughly blended, or combine in an electric blender and blend until smooth.
2. Refrigerate till cold. (30 minutes in the freezer compartment works too).

Pour into glasses, add a mint sprig to each as a garnish and serve.

Make it Minty: Add 2 tablespoons crushed, dried mint or a cup of fresh mint in a blender, 2 tablespoons sugar, honey, or agave syrup, plus more to taste.

Make it salty: Yes, salty! Salty Ayran is a bit of an acquired taste for lots of people, but it can be even more refreshing than sweet ones. Instead of mint and sweetners just add a teaspoon of fine sea salt or more to taste.

Bump it up with ginger: For a seriously bright and kicky version, add 1 teaspoon or more to taste of freshly grated ginger to the mix.

Make it a slushy: For an even more refreshing version: Make your Ayran extra cool by adding a handful of ice cubes to the blender. To make it as smooth as possible, add the ice cubes one at a time with the blender running, working each one in before adding the next one.

Make it ahead: Ayran can be made and kept, covered and chilled, for up to 3 days and if it settles, a gentle stir will recover its silky smoothness.

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