Feast logo

I'm A Make You A Middle Eastern Drink: Take Some Doogh Home With You

How to make this quick and easy refreshing drink that is a staple recipe in every Persian household.

By Ghezal AmiriPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
6
Image from shanazrafiq.com

Growing up in an Afghan household, there was always one special beverage I looked forward to injecting into my veins/drinking come summer time.

It's called Doogh and as someone who can manage to burn cereal somehow, it's a drink that fits right into my culinary prowess capabilities. It has the minimum amount of ingredients possible and embodies a concoction you can improvise on until you find what is YOUR perfect amount.

The Ingredients You Need

  • Plain yogurt, I typically use 2%
  • Water
  • Cucumber
  • Salt
  • Dried mint powder
  • Ice cubes
  • Dried mint leaves (optional)

As mentioned, improvisation is key to this recipe.

Adjust the quantity needed in accordance with whether you're making the Doogh for just yourself or a legion of cousins, aunts and uncles invading your home on a Saturday night.

Image from Culinary Butterfly

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Finely chop up a cucumber into little cubes and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl or pitcher, combine yogurt and water (with a wee pinch of salt) and whisk until you reach the desired consistency. I prefer having a thicker Doogh so I tend to use more yogurt than water.
  3. Take those little adorable cucumber cubes (cucubes, if you will) and throw them along with a few tablespoons of dried mint powder into the bowl or pitcher and continue whisking.
  4. Your Doogh is complete! Add the ice cubes into the bowl or pitcher for maximum refreshment.
  5. Pour the drink into your #1 Chef Of The World mug and add a mint leave or 4 to really impress the family.
Image from Sun Basket

If You're Not Into All Those Steps...

Take all your ingredients - the cucubes, yogurt, water, wee pinch of salt, dried mint powder and ice cubes - toss them into a blender and blend to your heart's content. Pour in the mug when finished and consume.

The Significance Summer Doogh Holds with Me

There are not many joys in life that compare to coming home to a gorgeously, deliciously cool glass of Doogh after being outside in the scorching heat. While it is not illegal by any means to enjoy this drink during the winter seasons, there is more of a personal reason why it holds such a special place in my heart during the summer season.

During my childhood, my grandma lived next door with my aunt and her family. I previously mentioned how I rank negatively on the culinary prowess scale and this trait of mine is certainly not new. One recipe I constructed over and over again in my youth to little success was Doogh and my Bibi was my #1 supporter. Whether it was because she was trying to be nice (and yeah it definitely was) or I genuinely was the Gordon Ramsay of Persian Cuisine, she would take a sip of my overly salted, under yogurt-ed abomination and declare in Farsi "oh bachem (my child)! This is the best one you made!"

When it was summer break, I would make a glass of Doogh roughly every week or so because school was out and small children aren't really good for much during this time. I realized in my old age (of my late 20s) that she would know when my mom would make the Doogh because it was actually edible, so after taking a sip she'd say "hmm. This tastes different."

To which I'd reply "yes! Mom made it so it probably isn't as good as mine!" It was certainly better than mine but it seems Bibi was willing to consume tar for the sake of a summer vacationing teacup human.

"Ah! That's why it's different... You know what? Maybe bring me one more cup just so your mom doesn't feel bad."

The concept of drinking what could qualify as a weapon of mass destruction just to appease the happiness of your grandchild baffles me... And I hope every kid out there is lucky enough to experience this kind of unconditional love.

Now if all of the previous instructions still seem too daunting (and as cereal burner here can assure you - It's okay to feel that way) head to your local Middle Eastern market and ask for The Yogurt Drink. Happy drinking! Salamati!

Looking out for more recipes? Check out the Recipe Swap Challenge where Vocal+ members share their favourites.

recipe
6

About the Creator

Ghezal Amiri

Afghan-Canadian writer who enjoys witty quips and BTS, proper grammar and Jodie Comer.

I tweet with @MrsBananaPhone because it's the best and beats the rest.

I also have designs: https://www.teepublic.com/user/designingsimple

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.