Then there was the “Combat Martini” that was a tradition with the pilots of my unit in Vietnam....where they type of vermouth really didn’t enter into the equasion. Four of the newest pilots in the unit were lined up in a row...the first had ice, the second had olives, the third had a quart of Beefeaters Gin and the fourth had a bottle of Vermouth. Then the rest of us...lined up, like taking communion, a chunk of ice would be placed in our mouth, then you moved to the second and an olive and then on to the third and a good chug of Beefeaters and then finally the vermouth was passed under one’s nose whereupon you went to the back of the line and patiently waited your turn for a repeat performance. BTW...if memory serves me correctly (it seldom does anymore)the Beefeaters was about a dollar a quart. Ahh fond memories..
As a young signal officer, I attended a function at the battalion commander's home wherein I was deputized to mix the drinks, something at which I had little experience.
One aviator captain asked for a dry martini, for which I mixed what I thought was the appropriate amount of vermouth with the gin. After a taste, the captain corrected me, informing me that the proper procedure was to whisper the word "vermouth" as I was passing the bottle by a glassful of gin.