Paper Plane Cocktail

Taking Flight

The paper plane is an easy-to make cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion. It has the added bonus of being both complex and expressive.

This simple yet elegant cocktail is the perfect balance of sweet, bitter and herb driven. The paper plane has a rich flavor that will leave you asking for more!

A modern cocktail recipe: The Paper Plane Cocktail

Well-balanced cocktails that are easy to make and still have some complexity. They’re rare.

The Paper Plane happens to be one of those drinks. Equal parts bourbon, amaro nonino, aperol and freshly squeezed lemon juice. It’s perfectly balanced and refreshing but it also manages to be expressive and complex.

This recipe may be your new favorite cocktail.

Paper Plane History

Sam Ross is one of the more significant bartenders to come out of New York in the early 2000s. Sam Ross worked at Milk & Honey with Sasha Petraske. He created the Paper Plane cocktail for the opening of the Violet Hour, a bar in Chicago. It is a Bourbon variation of the Last Word.

What’s in a Paper Plane Cocktail? |Ingredients

This is a four ingredient cocktail made in equal parts. Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol and fresh lemon juice. Get out your cocktail shaker and get a coupe glass ready.

Bourbon

This is a bourbon cocktail.

Amaro

This drink gets its distinct flavour and bright color from the two amari featured in the recipe. Aperol and Amaro Nonino.

Aperol should be pretty familiar to most people these days. The Aperol Spritz has pretty much covered bars everywhere in bright orange cocktails. Aperol is an Italian amaro that is similar in flavour to Campari, but a little sweeter and less bitter. That slightly more approachable flavour has made it a hit.

Amaro Nonino is less well known. The Paper Plane really put this spirit on the map. It is an amaro (amaro is a style of bitter, herbal Italian spirit) made with a grappa base. It is infused with a variety of fruit, roots, herbs and botanicals. The flavour is an intriguing mix of citrus, honey, vanilla, anise and baking spice.

It is a fantastic mix of flavours that pair really well with Bourbon. That is one of the magical pairings that makes the drink really take off.

If you can’t find Amaro Nonino there are a few decent substitutions available. Amaro Averna is delicious and widely available. It also fits the flavour profile fairly well. Amaro Meletti, Ramazotti or Angostura Amaro would work as well.

Garnish

In my opinion the most appropriate garnish for this cocktail is a lemon twist. Not least, because it is edible. And, it give the drink a nice aromatic lift. Of course, Instagram says otherwise.

Checking the social media will tell you people love to garnish the Paper Plane with a tiny paper airplane. Which is obviously super-cute Insta-candy. This is the perfect opportunity to show off your origami skills. While most people just fold a simple classic paper airplane you can really take this any direction you like.

Variations

Campari

The original recipe for the Paper Plane cocktail called for Campari instead of Aperol. At some point Aperol was substituted and it quickly became the standard.

Mezcal

A mezcal variation known as the Naked and Famous was created by Joan Simo of Pouring Ribbons. Smoky, earthy mezcal is a welcome addition to pretty much every party. So, yes you do want to try it.

Lime Juice

You can add lime juice to your cocktail shaker instead of lemon and shake up a different great cocktail.