Doogh (Persian Yogurt Drink)

Doogh is a traditional Persian yogurt drink made with fizzy club soda and mint. Light, tangy, and perfect for warm days, it’s a refreshing drink to enjoy with your kabob or any Persian meal! Plus I share all about the traditions of Sizdah Bedar (13 bedar).

The weather outside may or may not reflect it, but Spring is here! Perhaps your sinuses can feel it, with the new blossoms outside? This is my favorite time of the year, like a bear coming out of hibernation, I feel excited with the end of winter behind us.

I personally long for the warm weather and sunshine, which is probably why I love living in Southern California! And, if you are a reader of my blog, you know that the first day of Spring marks the first day of the Persian New Year, Nowruz.

Traditions of sizdah bedar

I have shared a brief history of Nowruz, dating back 3000 years. I have also discussed a pre-Nowruz celebration, Chahârshanbe Sûrî . In today’s post, I will tell you about another Nowruz celebration: Sizdah Bedar (13 bedar).

In Iran, the Nowruz celebration lasts for 13 days. Images constantly portrayed during these 13 days is The End and Rebirth, Good versus Evil. And, even in ancient times, the number 13 was considered unlucky.

The translation for Sizdah Bedar is something like “Getting rid of 13.” It can also mean “13 Going outdoors.” Many historians believe this celebration came about when people felt that to cast away evil, they should fight the impulse to stay indoors on the 13th day of the new year.

By the 13th day of Favradin (the first month of the Persian new year), the family sabzeh grown for the haft sin is looking a little sad. This sabzeh is symbolic on the haft sin as it symbolically collects all the sickness and bad luck from the house. So, to ward off evil and bad omens, the sabzeh is casted off on this sizdah bedar.

Another traditional act practiced while outdoors, although a bit outdated, is where the unmarried girls tie knots with the blades of grass, hoping to be married by next sizdah bidar. The knot represents love and the bond between husband and wife.

So, families spend the day outdoors. In modern times, you will find families gathering together in parks, by lakes or at the beach typically sharing a large meal that defies any image of an American picnic!

Pots of rice, khoresht (stews), ash-e reshteh (noodle soup) are lined up on picnic tables or on carpets laid over the grass. Pitchers of doogh, a yogurt drink mixed with herbs, is passed around and shared.

For dessert, cups full of golden sholeh zard is passed among family along with glasses of hot tea. Even today, here in the US, Persian rugs are taken to the park with family sitting together and sharing this feast together. 

We sit, we eat. We laugh, we eat. We talk, we eat. The kids play, we eat. You get the picture.

Ingredients needed

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• Plain yogurt: Persian yogurt has a tang to it. If you cannot find any or don’t have a middle eastern market you can use thick Greek yogurt.
• Club soda or water: You can water down the yogurt with regular water. But many of us prefer a little carbonation and use club soda or plain seltzer water.
• Dried herbs: I prefer using dried herbs for doogh, but you can use finely minced fresh herbs. You can use just mint or a combination of mint and dill.
• Salt: A little salt helps balance the tartness of the yogurt.
• Ice: Because you want your drink ice cold!
• Garnish: I like to garnish my glass of doogh with fresh mint. You can also sprinkle in some crushed dried rose petals.

Step-by-step directions

1. In a small pitcher whisk together yogurt, club soda, dried mint, salt and pepper.
2. Fill two glasses with ice and divide dough evenly between the two glasses and garnish with chopped fresh mint.

Expert tips and recipe FAQs

If you find a middle eastern market, you can find Ab Ali’s bottled doogh and try it for yourself first!

Another refreshing Persian drink is made with sekanjabin, a Persian mint and cucumber cooler you mix with water and cucumbers.

Doogh (Persian Yogurt Drink)

Laura Bashar | Family Spice

Doogh is a traditional Persian yogurt drink made with fizzy club soda and mint. Light, tangy, and perfect for warm days, it’s a refreshing drink to enjoy with your kabob or any Persian meal!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Additional Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Cuisine Persian

Servings 2 cups

Calories 73 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 cup club soda or water
• ½ teaspoon crushed dried mint
• pinch of salt
• pinch of ground black pepper
• 1 cup ice
• 1 sprig fresh mint

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Instructions

 

• In a small pitcher whisk together yogurt, club soda, dried mint, salt and pepper.
• Fill two glasses with ice and divide dough evenly between the two glasses and garnish with fresh mint.

Notes

If you don’t like the fizz, you can substitute with water instead of club soda.

Persian yogurt has a little tang to it, compared to most commercial yogurts you find in the stores. So flavors will vary depending on the brand of yogurt you use.

You can garnish your drinks with fresh mint and some crushed dried rose petals for a pretty presentation.

If you are making a large pitcher full of doogh, start with equal parts of yogurt and club soda. You can easily thin it out with more liquid if it is too thick.

TO STORE: Homemade doogh is best when served right after making it, especially if you are using carbonated water or soda. Yogurt can last a month in the refrigerator, so you can mix it up any time you want.

Nutrition

Serving: 1glassCalories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 6gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 154mgSugar: 8g

Keyword 13 bedar, doog, doogh, persian yogurt drink, sizdah bedar, sizdah bidar

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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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