Culture & Lifestyle • Food & Drink

Ayran

Ayran is a cold, savoury yogurt-based beverage made with yogurt, water, and salt.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ayran is a cold, savoury yogurt-based beverage made with yogurt, water, and salt. It is widely consumed across Turkey, the Balkans, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of the Middle East, and is especially associated with Turkish cuisine. Ayran is available in many Canadian grocery stores, restaurants, and cafés that serve Turkish, Middle Eastern, Balkan, or Central Asian food, making it a familiar item in Canada's multicultural food landscape.

Description

Ayran is a simple beverage made from yogurt, water, and salt. It is usually served cold and is known for a savoury, tangy taste.

Regional distribution

The drink is common in Turkey and is also found across the Balkans, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of the Middle East. Several sources describe it as traditional in a broad swath of Eurasian cuisine.

Cultural significance

Ayran is often identified as Turkey's national drink and is strongly associated with Turkish food culture. It is frequently consumed with meals and in hot weather.

Related yogurt drinks appear in nearby culinary traditions under names such as doogh, tan, and abdugh. Some ayran recipes include mint or cucumber, and certain varieties are carbonated.

Key facts

Ayran is made by mixing yogurt with water and salt.
It is typically served chilled and has a tangy, salty flavour.
It is popular in Turkey and also widely consumed in the Balkans, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
Some sources describe ayran as a traditional Turkish national drink.
Variants may include herbs such as mint, and some commercial or regional versions are carbonated.

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Canadian context

Ayran is available in many Canadian grocery stores, restaurants, and cafés that serve Turkish, Middle Eastern, Balkan, or Central Asian food, making it a familiar item in Canada's multicultural food landscape.[14]

Frequently asked questions

What is ayran?

Ayran is a cold savory drink made from yogurt, water, and salt.

What does ayran taste like?

It is typically tangy, salty, and refreshing.

Where is ayran popular?

It is widely consumed in Turkey, the Balkans, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and parts of the Middle East.

Is ayran Turkey's national drink?

Yes, several sources identify ayran as Turkey's national drink.

Are there different versions of ayran?

Yes. Some versions include mint or other herbs, and some are carbonated.

Is ayran related to other yogurt drinks?

Yes. Similar drinks include doogh in Iran and abdugh in Afghanistan, among other regional variants.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran
Supports: Basic definition, ingredients, regions of consumption, national drink status
Punin Wine — https://puninwine.com/pages/glossary/ayran
Supports: Definition, ingredients, Turkish national drink status, historical background
Langeek — https://dictionary.langeek.co/en/word/217205?entry=ayran
Supports: Taste, serving style, common uses with meals and hot weather
Azerbaijani Wikipedia — https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran
Supports: Regional distribution, ingredients, herbs, carbonation
German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran
Supports: Ingredients, regional origin, industrial variations
French Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran
Supports: Broad regional popularity across multiple countries
Turkish Wikipedia — https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran
Supports: Turkish culinary association, preparation, common ingredients
Oxford Companion to Food via ckbk — https://app.ckbk.com/reference/food77337c01s001e188/ayran
Supports: Alternate names, mint/cucumber additions, related regional drinks