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.
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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Another traditional act practiced while outdoors, although a bit outdated, is where the unmarried girls tie knots with the blades of grass, hoping to be married by next sizdah bidar.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.
Recipe highlights
- Doogh: This is a beloved Persian drink made with yogurt. And no, this is NOT a smoothie! We especially love doogh with a plate of chelo kabob. Yum!
- Simple: This is a super easy drink to make. It is a refreshing beverage you can enjoy at sizdah bedar or any other day of the week.
- Unique: Persian yogurt has a bit of tang to it. In this recipe, it is mixed with water or club soda then garnished with mint to make a delicious drink.
- Flavor: If you have tried mast o khiar, doogh has a similar flavor profile. Persian yogurt has some tang to it and the club soda adds fizz. It is seasoned with mint and a touch of salt.
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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
- 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 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.
Storing Instructions
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.
Doogh is a persian yogurt drink mixed with club soda (or regular water) along with mint and/or dill. It is very refreshing and tangy. Unlike American yogurt, Persian yogurt is NOT sweet but is a little on the sour side. The salt you add helps balance the sour yogurt.
Doogh (Persian Yogurt Drink)
Ingredients
- 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
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
Nutrition
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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Written by Laura Bashar
Hi, I’m Laura, a certified professional cook and cookbook author living in San Diego. I have been sharing my family’s favorite recipes inspired from all over the world since 2008. Let’s cook up something fun!
I love your site, Laura. You make some of the most amazing dishes. Doogh sounds like a delicious drink for a hot summer day. I always have plain unsweetened yogurt in the fridge (e.g. Liberty or Astro.) It’s not thick like Greek yogurt, but definitely tangy. Would it work well in this recipe?
Hi Laurie!
You can use any yogurt to make doogh. I personally prefer the tang, but some people are put off by it. Since your yogurt isn’t thick, just add add it to your pitcher then slowly mix in the club soda until you get to the desired “drink” consistency. It’s not a thick smoothie. Hope you enjoy it!
Laura
Thanks for a great post – much enjoyed this – well done & wishing you a lovely 2020 🙂
I am an old school Lebanese. I tried variations of hommos or years . By far, this is the best I enjoyed. Well done Ms Bashar, What is next on the menu?
please correct the “or” to “for”. Thanks
My girlfriend (Persian) and I (Indian) absolutely LOVE your website and have used it to make about 30 meals over the past year. We really value your creativity and energy for maintaining such a wonderful website of delicious foods! Thank you.
Very interesting and I learned something new. I don’t think we have any happy celebration that lasts 13 days in Japan! I enjoyed reading about the tradition of Sizdah Bidar (like the sound of this word) and your photos look really beautiful Laura! Enjoy your picnic. It’s pouring rain today in SF…