ayran — Turkey

Ayran is a savory drink made by whisking yogurt with cold water and a little salt until it turns light and slightly frothy, served chilled in a tall glass or bowl. It is reported as widely drunk in Turkey and across a broad belt of neighboring countries including Iran, Turkmenistan, Greece, Albania, Syria, Lebanon, Armenia and Bulgaria, each with a local name for a similar preparation. In Turkey it is a standard accompaniment to grilled meat dishes such as kebab and is sold bottled as well as made at home. To prepare it, thick plain yogurt is whisked smooth, then thinned gradually with cold water until it reaches a pourable, milk-like consistency, and salted to taste. Some cooks add a few ice cubes or chill it well before serving, and it is occasionally topped with a pinch of dried mint. What marks this preparation is the simplicity of the ratio - yogurt, water and salt alone, without sweetening - and its role as a savory table drink poured alongside grilled or roasted meat rather than as a dessert-style beverage. It is drunk rather than eaten with a spoon, which sets it apart from strained or thickened yogurt dishes.