Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!

Doogh or Yogurt Soda is a naturally carbonated yogurt drink, which very popular in Iran and Afghanistan.

Quite similar to the Indian lassi, the carbonation is brought in the beverage by beating the yogurt until smooth and then letting it ferment a little.

{However the idea of diluting Abali Yogurt soda with carbonated water simply does not appeal me.

Dilution of carbonated water might ruin the nutritive quality of the drink.

Kate, when I lived in Japan, a softdrink called "Calpis" was popular. It was essentially carbonated milk.

Alas, due to the vaguaries of pronouncing the letter "l" in Japanese, the drink was colloquially known as "cowpiss."

You'll note that the phrase "let's grab a bottle of cowpiss" hasn't taken off here, either.

Kate you've made me laugh out loud today at my desk ... once again revealing to surrounding co workers that I'm probably reading blogs again, and not actually working at our law office.

Well, inquiring minds want to know - how was it? and would you buy it again?

I think yogurt soda makes a great hot weather drink, tangy and refreshing. The Abali yogurt soda with mint is even better.

At a Middle Eastern market near my parents' house, not only do they have yogurt soda, but they also carry mint-flavored yogurt soda. I wasn't brave enough to try either out. I love me some carbonation and yogurt, but not together.

Hhhmm, this actually sounds really good to me, since it's about 90 degrees outside with 90 percent humidity! I do love Indian lassi, so I might have to check this out.

And Kate, maybe you could go really over the top and use this to make a durian fruit smoothie! Well, it was just a thought....

Yeah, doogh is pretty popular in middle eastern restaurants. I tried a mint version awhile back. It's good with really spicy food.

http://www.plateoftheday.com/63/

I've bought this at Persian stores, too, and the mint version. It's very good on a hot day. I didn't get the impression that this was fermented, more like yoghurt and carbonated water +/- mint. For fermented yoghurt drinks, you cannot beat kefir, the yoghurt has yeast in addition to the usual happy bacteria. It's delicious (really)!

Now look what you did, we're coming out of the woodwork to defend our beloved carbonated yogurt.

As a proud participant of Europe's Heatwave of Hotness 2006, let me just say that there is no better refresher in hot weather than these light, cold yogurt drinks. I could have done a bad, Mentos-style commercial for ayram today (ayram is the Turkish version of this idea), nearly jogging into the corner store after spending 10 minutes outside doing errands, literally melting, and then saving my own life with very cold ayram which completely fixed my heat problem for about 45 seconds.

but I have to say, yogurt soda does really not describe this drink, it's a lassi with light carbonation.

When taking the doogh challenge (doogh:yogurt drink in Persian) expect a creamy-slaty taste, and you'll probably get to like it. The non-carbonated version is readily served in Persian restaurants, and that version is more appealing to the taste buds of a newcomer.
An excellent thirst and sodium quencher on a hot day. Also makes an excellent protein drink right after a work out.

This stuff is addictive in the summertime. It contains a high amount of sodium which turns most Americans off. When I go in to the Persian shop to buy the stuff, I am known as the "only American who likes doogh". The mint is the best.

I still haven't tried durian fruit but I looking forward to trying it. I remember seeing something on FoodNetwork about it...does it really stink??

Well, .. quite contrary to you belief the phrase "let's grab a bottle of yogurt soda" has already taken off in parts of this world for centuries. Yogurt soda is a very popular drink in many countries in the Middle East.

Yogurt was an unknown product in the US until 1950s. See how popular it is now. You have to develop a taste for an unknown food to enjoy it. It takes time.

In case anybody is interested to try Doogh (Yogurt drink) it can be found here. Personally I think it is much better than any regular soda, and definitely much more nutritious.

I have always loved the Yogurt drinks, however this was the first carbonated water drink that I have purchased ... While driving I opened it up, and YES, you guessed it ... It exploded all over the front of me !! What a mess !! Anyway, what was now left in the bottle, I did drink !!! How about a coupon for a new bottle, and I promise the next time that I will be careful ~!!!!!
Thanks,
Carol

what are you talking about? carbonated yogurt is the best. well, i actually prefer the abali yogurt soda with mint. but its a pain to open it. the trick is to roll it around gently for a minute or two until all the yogurt mixes evenly with the liquid. then open and close until the gas escapes. dont shake or else it will explode when you open it.

if you cant take dairy products easily, then this make your toilet hate you.

All you wimps dissing yogurt soda must be sugar/sweets people. As for me the first time I tasted Yogurt soda, I was hooked. Sour and salty are fabulous together e.g. salt and vinegar chips. Have you ever had a lemon sour soda? You have to make it yourself. Use lemon juice of a whole lemon and carbonated water over ice add salt (sea salt healthiest) and stir--use a straw. The yogurt soda is very similar. I had the mint flavor--woke up the next morning and the first thought was about wanting another yogurt soda. It really was that good. My daughter liked it, too. My husband (a wimpy sweets person) not so much--yet (however he did not even like yogurt for a long time either).

Doogh is awesome, the Abali with mint is definitely the best, to all you naysayers I raise my bottle to you, cheers!

Do you know where the other brand name of doogh(pronounced something like "KULAK") can be acquired? THANKS!

What the hell is wrong with you people - this shit ROCKS!

Yogurt Soda is not fermented. Yogurt is mixed with carbonated water. An excellent drink if you want to stay away from sugar. Turn a cold bottle upside down and shake it sideways slowly.

I stumbled across Abali Yogurt Soda with mint at a Persian restaurant a few years ago... Like with many things, my first reaction was negative, but the thing you do with this soda is sip it slowly, not gulp it, and after a short while it really begins to grow on you. I now enjoy it and keep it stocked in my fridge. As others have pointed out, it's extremely refreshing on a hot day or after a good workout at the gym, and is also a tongue saver when eating very spicy food. Remember to sip and get your palate used to the creamy salty tangy sensation, and you too will probably learn to love the stuff. The fact that it's nutritious (well, except for the sodium...) is a major plus--a glass or even bottle of this beats takes the edge off my hunger and gives me plenty of protein.

I bought a bottle of Yogurt soda and was not sure if I was drinking spoiled milk. I agree that it must be an acquired taste. I am hacving fun at work letting people try it. Good laughs but it seems like it would be nutritious. Oh and yes Durian reeks like rotten meat but a hint of fruity-ness. Hard to get past the nose but really quite delicious.

This looks like a step up from a coke and milk beverage. I just took it a notch higher by mixing plain yogurt with cherry coke. Using flavorless club soda does not seem appetizing.