Cold mastaw draws summer crowds at Erbil Citadel

ERBIL — As the summer heat builds, a glass of cold mastaw — a traditional yogurt drink served over ice — is drawing customers to vendors around the Erbil Citadel.

Mahir Salam, a young street vendor, sells milk in winter and switches to mastaw when the weather turns hot. “Anyone who passes by my cart comes for mastaw,” he said. “Most of my customers are people who have just eaten kebab and finish their meal with a cold glass.”

Salam said he makes the drink by mixing sheep’s, goat’s and cow’s yogurt with water, lemon and ice, and nothing else. “Mastaw tastes better this way than using only one type of yogurt,” he said. Most customers take it plain, he said, though some ask for the lemon, which he said sharpens the flavor.

A popular drink across the Kurdistan Region in summer, mastaw is especially favored after a meal. Salam said many first-time customers come back, and some buy extra to take home. He said he keeps a close eye on hygiene: “My goal is for customers to be satisfied.”