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Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun has found himself at the center of a cultural firestorm in Türkiye after declaring alcoholic beverage raki—the anise-flavored spirit traditionally served with seafood—to be his country's "national drink" in a YouTube video that has since gone viral.
Promoting alcoholic beverages is considered a taboo for the conservative side of the Turkish political spectrum. Considered a sin in Islam, the issue is always at the center of culture clashes between Türkiye's secular and conservative camps.
The 23-year-old NBA star commented on a casual tour of Istanbul featured in a video titled "Alperen Sengun Takes Istanbul | OFF DAY," which follows the Turkish national team player through a day exploring his hometown.
Conservative voices have seized on the raki segment, arguing that designating an alcoholic beverage as a national symbol is inappropriate in a majority-Muslim country where not all citizens consume alcohol.
Secular voices highlighted Alperen’s promotion of Istanbul with the video, arguing that focusing on a single part of it is "biased."
The video captures Sengun showcasing Istanbul's culinary scene, from traditional Turkish breakfasts featuring eggs, cheese, olives, and fresh fruit to upscale shopping districts he compares to "Rodeo Drive." He takes boat rides with his girlfriend, dines with family, and reflects on his roots in the city's fishing culture.
The controversy stems from a seaside dinner scene where Sengun shares a meal with his translator, agent, and national team colleagues. Over seafood dishes including shrimp with avocado and eggplant, he introduces viewers to raki, describing it as "a strong anise-flavored spirit, kind of like ouzo" with centuries of history in Turkish culture.
The backlash on social media platform X has been swift and pointed. Conservative commentator Sevda Turkusev argued the criticism was not about personal consumption but about overstepping on national identity. "Not everyone in this country drinks what he drinks, and declaring it national is no one's right," she wrote in a post that received more than 1,100 likes.
Mehmet Cakir, another conservative voice on the platform, drew a sharp contrast with Turkish footballer Kenan Yildiz, who faced criticism from secular quarters for praying before matches.
"The mindset that lynched Kenan Yildiz for praying before a game is now praising Alperen Sengun for saying 'raki is our national drink,'" Cakir wrote in a post garnering over 10,000 engagements.
"Raki is not our national drink at all; raki is a poison drunk by drunks and alcoholics," he wrote.
A journalist, writing in for a local daily, offered a detailed critique in an op-ed titled "Whose Drink is Raki?" He argued that raki's origins trace to Arab regions, including Syria, rather than Türkiye, and suggested that 'ayran', a traditional yogurt-based beverage, should be promoted as the authentic national drink instead.
Critics have raised concerns about Sengun's influence as a role model, arguing that his endorsement could potentially encourage young people toward habits deemed harmful. Some went further, with viral clips showing calls for accountability over what they characterized as promoting alcohol consumption.
Some observers noted that footballer Arda Guler subsequently posted images sharing tea, which was interpreted as a pointed counterpoint to Sengun's raki endorsement—a subtle affirmation of non-alcoholic Turkish traditions.
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