Ayran

Ayran is a cold, savoury drink of plain yogurt whisked with water and a pinch of salt until it turns thin, frothy and pourable. Developed by the Turkic peoples of Central Asia and now a daily staple across Turkey, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the wider Middle East, it is tangy, milky and gently sour rather than sweet — a cooling, slightly salty foil to grilled meat and rich, spicy food. It is dairy-based, lightly tart from the yogurt's lactic acid, and traditionally served well chilled with a head of foam.