Dhallë – Easy 5 Minute Recipe for Albania’s Favorite Soft Drink

Ayran is a popular drink in Turkey and the Balkans, especially in summer. In Albania, this refreshing drink is known as dhallë and is available pretty much everywhere. It is similar to Lassi but no sugar or fruit is added.

Origins of Dhallë

This thirst-quencher stems from Turkey’s nomadic past. Over a thousand years ago the bitter yoghurt was diluted to make it more palatable. Ayran is then thought to have spread with the Ottoman Empire and versions of it can be found in Iran, Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as many countries of the Balkans.

We first learned about it in Albania and so, to us, it is known as dhallë.

The Benefits of Albania’s Favourite Soft Drink

Dhallë is considered to be a healthy beverage as no sugar is added. Furthermore, the yoghurt is good for the gut. This is a great refreshment in the summer heat as it replaces water and salt lost through sweating. It can even be used after a workout to replace electrolytes and provide protein and calcium to power you through to meal time. Water is certainly not the only way to quench your thirst in the summer heat!

The amount of calories per glass is dependent on the type of yoghurt you use. However, this recipe below will contain around 70kcal per 250ml serving.

One big benefit of dhallë is how easy it is to make from scratch. In less than 5 minutes you can easily produce a gloriously cold, foamy and refreshing beverage.

Even better, the recipe only requires 3 basic ingredients that are very easy and cheap to source and store.

To make dhallë you can use a regular blender, hand blender or even a mason jar with a good seal and a bit of effort.

When to Drink Dhallë

Dhallë is usually served with barbequed meat, byrek or rice at lunch or dinnertime. This is convenient as most of the food in Albania consists of barbequed meat and byrek (not a bad thing!). It also makes a great accompaniment to a spicy dish as it really helps to cool the fire.

 It works pretty well as a light breakfast, but that is less traditional.

Variations of the Popular Drink

In Iran, mint is commonly added to the yoghurt drink. Thyme, lime, cucumber and black pepper are also popular additions depending on location. Common opinion is that the plain version is preferable when having it along with a meal.

To create more foam, you can substitute still water for carbonated water. This results in the same flavor but more of that glorious foam and a little bit of a zing.

Some people also like to add ice cubes on an extra hot day for a bit of a crunch.

Fresh yoghurt works the best when making dhallë, but shop bought yoghurt works just fine. If using Greek yoghurt, it might be necessary to add a little more water as the yoghurt is thicker.

You can buy bottled Dhallë in most supermarkets in Albania, the rest of the Balkans and Turkey. However, this often confuses visitors (especially from the UK) who mistake it for milk and try to add it to their morning tea. That does not end well. The homemade version of dhallë is definitely better than the shop bought version and so quick and easy to make.

How to Make Dhallë

Here are the 3 simple ingredients you will need to make dhallë from scratch at home. You can play around with the ratios depending on your taste but this is a good place to start. You can also add in any mint, black pepper, etc. if that floats your boat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of plain yoghurt
• 1 cup of water (still or sparkling)
• ½ teaspoon of sea salt

Dhallë is so easy to prepare and can be done in less than 5 minutes.

Preparation

• Add all the ingredients into a blender and mix for a few seconds until smooth (a hand blender will also work)

Or

• Add all ingredients into a mason jar and shake vigorously until blended and frothy

THEN

• Serve in a cold glass and decorate with mint leaves or topping of choice

• Enjoy!

What next?

Inspired by Balkan food and drink? You might want to take a look at our recipe for making delicious BALKAN FRAPPE. Another great drink to refresh yourself on a hot summer’s day.

Maybe you’re thinking of visiting the Balkans to try the delicious food and drink? Check out our Balkan FAQs page for loads of information on the area.

Have you tried this recipe at home or in the Balkans? Let us know by dropping a comment in the box. We would love to hear from you!