The yogurt-based drink recognized as Turkey’s national drink is ayran.
Ayran is a cold, savory beverage made by mixing yogurt with water and salt. Its refreshing tang and slight saltiness make it a natural partner for grilled meats, bread, rice and spicy foods. Some versions include mint, black pepper or carbonation, but the basic three-ingredient combination remains the classic formula.
Ayran belongs to a wider family of yogurt drinks found across Central Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East. Related beverages include doogh in Iran, tan in Armenia and lassi in South Asia, although these drinks can differ in seasoning, thickness and preparation. Ayran is generally thinner and saltier than sweet lassi.
The drink has deep Turkic associations: it appears in the 11th-century Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk, a dictionary compiled by Mahmud al-Kashgari. In modern Turkey, ayran is served at homes, restaurants and fast-food counters, especially alongside kebabs and other grilled dishes.