Which fruit is primarily used to flavor traditional gin?

Traditional gin is primarily flavored with juniper berries, which are the defining ingredient of this spirit. The flavor profile of gin is built upon the essence of juniper, which imparts a distinct pine-like and slightly resinous taste. Without juniper, the spirit would not meet the legal definition of gin in many places.

While other ingredients like coriander seeds, cilantro, and lemon peel might be used in various recipes to complement the flavor of gin, they don’t serve as the primary flavoring agent. Coriander adds a spicy, citrusy note, cilantro provides a fresh herbaceous quality, and lemon peel introduces a zesty brightness, but none of these can replace the essential role of juniper in defining gin's character.