Take a break from sugary sodas and lemonades this summer with doogh, a minty Persian yogurt soda that’s light and refreshing with bonus gut healthy probiotics!
So excited to share this refreshing soda with you! Doogh is a Middle Eastern fermented drink made with tangy yogurt and fresh mint ~ it’s different from anything else I’ve ever had, in a good way! I’m always on the lookout for unusual summer drinks ~ bonus points that this one is non alcoholic, made with no sugar and lots of immune boosting probiotics.
We’ve been stocking our fridge with all kinds of drinkable yogurt lately, it’s refreshing and keeps our appetite in check during the day. Doogh takes that concept to a whole new level. Forget about sugary sodas and fruit juices, this is our new summer quencher!
what is doogh?
Yogurt soda or doogh is a traditional yogurt-based drink originating from Iran and popular throughout the Middle East and Central Asia. It’s basically a fizzy yogurt beverage made with a combination of yogurt, water, salt, and mint. This drink has a healthy probiotic (good bacteria) content that supports gut health, digestion, and the immune system. It joins other healthy yogurt and water based beverages like Arayan from Turkey and Lassi from India.
how do you pronounce that??
“Doogh” is a Persian word, pronounced as “doo-gh” (with a guttural ‘gh‘.)
ingredients
- whole milk yogurt
- or kefir, or drinkable yogurt. All will work well for doogh.
- mint
- traditionally made with dried mint, but I break with tradition ~ I much prefer the flavor of fresh in this drink. Fresh mint features in another one of my favorite summer refreshers: Frozen Mint Lemonade (Limonana)
- salt
- sparkling water
- flat water is also sometimes used.
which yogurt to use for doogh
You have a lot of choice here, which will make this recipe fun to play with all summer long. I’ve made it with:
- probiotic drinkable yogurt, this isn’t just watered down yogurt, drinkable yogurt is specifically formulated to have a smooth and pourable texture. Drinkable yogurt still contains the same beneficial bacteria, protein, and other nutrients found in traditional yogurt.
- plain yogurt, this is the most authentic, and you will thin it down with water. I like whole milk yogurt but use what you like.
- kefir, a type of drinkable yogurt made by fermenting milk with kefir grains, which are a combination of bacteria and yeast cultures.
Yogurt consistency can vary significantly between different regions and countries, with yogurt in some Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries typically being thinner compared to the thicker yogurt commonly found in the United States. The consistency of your yogurt won’t matter much for this soda because you’ll be thinning it down with sparkling water anyway.
make doogh ahead
Once you’ve blended up your pale green yogurt and mint base, you can refrigerate it for several days, and mix up your soda to order whenever you need it. The contents will settle so be sure to give it a good stir before using.
doogh is a savory soda
Make sure whatever yogurt you choose it’s not sweetened for the most authentic drink. It’s most often served with meals and helps cleanse the palate, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of dishes like kebabs, rice pilafs, and stews.
Can you break with tradition and sweeten your doogh? Of course! Use a sweetened vanilla yogurt or add a bit of sugar or honey to your soda.
common variations on yogurt soda
- Mint and Cucumber Doogh: This variation is common in the Middle East, particularly during hot summer months, cucumber adds an extra refreshing element to the drink.
- Saffron-infused Doogh: Saffron is a prized ingredient in Persian cuisine, and saffron-infused doogh is a gorgeously golden variation on the drink.
- Rose Petal Doogh: Dried rose petals can be infused into the doogh water, and/or used as a garnish.
- Other Spices: sometimes black pepper or oregano are used.
- Dairy Free Doogh: Use your favorite dairy free yogurt like coconut or almond.
more Persian inspired recipes
Shirazi Salad (Persian Cucumber Tomato Salad)
Persian Mixed Herb Frittata (Kuku Sabzi)
For more about Persian cooking, I recommend Bottom of the Pot: Persian Recipes and Stories by Naz Deravian
Doogh (Persian Yogurt Soda)
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain yogurt, kefir, or drinkable yogurt
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, lightly packed
- pinch salt
- sparkling water
Instructions
- Put your yogurt and 1 cup of filtered water into a blender. If you use kefir, or drinkable yogurt do not add any water. Blend together with the mint leaves until completely smooth and pale green. Note: at this point you can refrigerate the yogurt base for up to 2 days to make your doogh at a later time.
- Fill 4 glasses with ice. Divide the doogh base between the flour glasses, and top off with cold sparkling water. Give each soda a stir to combine. Garnish with a mint sprig and enjoy right away.
