How was the haoma drink used in Iranian sacrificial rituals?

In ancient Iranian religion, the preparation and consumption of haoma were central to the yazna, a ritual structured as a festive meal offered to a divine guest.1

The ritual preparation of the drink involved several steps:
* Extraction: The stalks of the plant were soaked in water and then pounded—originally between two stones—to extract the yellow juice.1
* Mixing: The juice was filtered and mixed with milk to reduce its bitterness, and sometimes with water.1
* Consumption: The drink was consumed immediately as a mind-altering drug rather than an alcoholic beverage.1

Within the yazna, haoma served as a sacred offering to deities, who were invited to the ritual to receive food and drink. Beyond its role as a divine offering, haoma was consumed by participants to enhance insight and creative powers, and it was taken by warriors as a stimulant before battle. As both a sacred drink and a powerful deity, haoma was believed to bestow vital qualities such as health, fertility, and immortality.12