What is the primary spirit used in a traditional martini?

The primary spirit used in a traditional martini is gin. This classic cocktail was originally created using gin, which provides a herbal, botanical flavor that is essential to the drink's character. The combination of gin with dry vermouth creates a well-balanced beverage, where the crispness of the gin is complemented by the vermouth's slight sweetness and complexity.

While variations of the martini exist, such as the vodka martini which uses vodka instead of gin, the traditional version has remained anchored in its gin base. This historical context is significant since the martini has been a staple in cocktail culture for over a century, and the choice of gin reflects the origins of cocktail making where gin was a predominant spirit during the rise of classic cocktails in the early 20th century.