Name: Escalator
Total time: 3 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 20 ml Pear liqueur; 15 ml Poire William; 15 ml Bison grass vodka; 40 ml Apple juice

Ingredients

²⁄₃ fl oz

Giffard Poire William liqueur

¹⁄₂ fl oz

Poire William eau-de-vie

¹⁄₂ fl oz

Bison grass vodka

1 ¹⁄₃ fl oz

Apple juice/apple cider (cloudy & unsweetened) (chilled)

How to make

Glass

Prepare

Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.

Prepare garnish of pear wedge.

Method

SHAKE all ingredients with ice.

FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

Garnish with pear wedge on rim.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Escalator contains 145 calories

Alcohol content:

1 standard drinks
13.95% alc./vol. (27.9° proof)
13.5 grams of pure alcohol

History

Adapted from a recipe created in 2002 by Kevin Connelly in England and called an escalator because the 'apples and pears', rhyming slang for 'stairs', are shaken. Originally based on Vilmos Körte Pálinka (Hungarian pear schnapps), in April 2026, Kevin said that due to difficulty sourcing Pálinka, he'd amended his recipe to 30ml Giffard Poire William liqueur, 15ml Zubrowka and 60ml apple juice.

Until April 2026, the recipe above called for 30ml (1oz) Poire William eau-de-vie, 15ml (½oz) bison grass vodka, 60ml (2oz) apple juice and 5ml (barspoon) sugar syrup. As recommended by Kevin, I dropped the sugar syrup and instead introduced sweet Poire William liqueur bolstered by the strength from retaining a slug of Poire William eau-de-vie.

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

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trendomexico Premium Member 17w

Humans and chicken stands very well in two legs. But in the case of cocktails I always need the third leg. So I did it. It was too much serious to be so fruity. And I didn't resist and went for lemon, and I think it was equilibrated. But I came from a country were we put lime in everything. Nevertheless I always wanted a recipe to do something with my Poire William bottles.

Kevin Connelly 21w

As the creator of the Escalator, can I just say I named it just 'Escalator'; it was Simon who added 'Martini' and then some time later, decided it wasn't a martini. 🙂

Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member 21w

There was a time when every cocktail was a “Martini”. I’ve changed the name from “Escalator Cocktail” to just “Escalator” and will reshoot to replace the 20+ year old photo. Also, an opportunity to update/correct the recipe. Please can you share your spec?

Kevin Connelly 21w

Hi Simon. Can't source Vilmos easily so using Giffard Poire William liquer. 1 poire w, 0.5 Zubrowka, 2 apple juice. No sugar needed. I think martini glass works well. Thanks for keeping the Escalator on board, even if you did drop me halj a star to 4.5 😉

Simon Difford Continue thread (1 reply)

John Hinojos Premium Member 3y

We omitted the sugar syrup as our apple juice, while being unsweetened, is organic and a bit on the sweet side being made from one type of apple. Very nice before dinner. Refreshing and the apple pulls out the pear flavour from the eau0-de-vie.

Raphael Golaz 3y

is that one considered as a Martini family cocktail? just to classify it for my bibliotaste

Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member 3y

It's not a proper Martini - too much fruit juice and no vermouth. Please see our “When’s a Martini not a Martini” page in our Martini area (search for ‘Martini’ to find the area).

Annabelle Egginton 3y

Perfectly balanced fruit sweetness and dryness of the vodka. The pear flavor comes through more than the apple, although the acidity of the apple juices balances the pear which could be too sweet thus making it a good pre-dinner cocktail.