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    Home » All Recipes » Beverages

    Paper Plane Cocktail (An equal-parts delicious cocktail)

    January 5, 2023 by Emily Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    With a perfect balance of bitter, sour, and earthy notes, the Paper Plane Cocktail is a new classic that’s only been around since 2007. Make this gorgeous sunset-hued aperitivo drink at home using just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes. One sip and you’ll feel like the hippest folks on the block!

    Paper Plane Cocktail in a coupe glass with an orange garnish.
    Jump to:
    • About This Recipe
    • Paper Plane Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • How To Make A Paper Plane Cocktail
    • Optional Variations
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Beverages to Try
    • Paper Plane Cocktail

    About This Recipe

    Despite having taken the bartending world by storm, the history of this magnificent amaro drink is quite short. In fact, it didn’t make its debut until 2007! An original recipe created by award-winning bartender Sam Ross for the swanky Chicago Wicker Park speakeasy – The Violet Hour – the Paper Plane, a bourbon cocktail, was designed as a modern take of the Last Word cocktail and named after the M.I.A. song that was an absolute hit! 

    While the inspirational Last Word was made from equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice, the Paper Plane drink is a lemony aperol bourbon amaro cocktail. 

    At first glance, the two might seem worlds apart since they are made with different spirits; however, after sipping the two side-by-side you’d be hard-pressed not to see the resemblance. They're both an "equal parts cocktail" made using the same template of a 1:1:1:1 ratio of ingredients using a single primary spirit buoyed by bittersweet liqueurs and a bright burst of fresh citrus. 

    With a brightly cheerful hue and a grown-up palate of bittersweet, earthy, and sour flavors, you’ll definitely want to keep this Paper Plane delicious cocktail recipe in your happy hour rotation. Best of all, you only need 4 ingredients and a single measurement to pull it off, equal parts of each ingredient makes it easy enough to shake up from memory.

    Looking for more amaro drinks to try? Try this Amaro Spritz, Aperol Negroni Sour Cocktail, or Rye and Cynar Cocktail!

    Paper plane coupe cocktail glasses on a blue backdrop.

    Paper Plane Ingredients & Substitutions

    Making Mixologist-level cocktails at home isn’t difficult, but does require the right ingredients. Make sure to reach for high-quality bottles and fresh fruit to make this Paper Airplane drink really sing and taste like you ordered from your local cocktail bars!

    • Amaro Nonino - One of many Italian Amaris, this bittersweet, golden-hued liqueur is made from a grappa base laced with botanicals, orange peel, and herbs found in most liquor stores.
    • Aperol - While this bitter aperitif is made with many ingredients, it is primarily flavored with gentian root and rhubarb with a bright orange color. It also has a relatively high sugar content and a low ABV of just 11%, making it more approachable for people who are new to bitter cocktail territory.
    • Bourbon - Ross, the creator of the original Paper Plane recipe, suggests using a heftier good bourbon with an alcohol content in the 43-46% range for added body.
    • Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice - If you truly want to emulate the flavors of a cocktail bar, make sure you follow the cardinal rule: only use freshly squeezed citrus. The bottled kind is flavored with essential oils which gives them a ruddy, bitter taste rather than the bright acidity and citrus flavour we crave.
    Labeled ingredient shot for the paper plane cocktail recipe.

    Equipment

    You don’t need much to make this fancy Paper Plane drink recipe at home. Here’s what to grab:

    • Cocktail Shaker - If you don’t have a proper one, try using a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
    • Cocktail Strainer - Some styles of cocktail shakers have them built right in. If not, you can also swap in your mesh strainer from the kitchen.
    • Aperitivo Drink Glasses - This bourbon aperol amaro drink is very intentionally potent and should be served up. Serve in an appropriately sized glass (e.g. mini martini glasses, coupe glasses, or sherry glasses) for the full luxurious effect.

    How To Make A Paper Plane Cocktail

    It seriously couldn’t be easier to pull off this newfangled classic cocktail at home. Here’s how to make one of my favorite cocktails:

    Step 1: Shake. Add equal amounts of all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds.

    Step 2: Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

    Step 3: Garnish & Serve. A wide strip of orange or lemon peel, lemon twist and/or a small, hand-folded paper airplane garnish. Cheers!

    Orange paper plane cocktails on a countertop.

    Optional Variations

    Once you try the cocktail Paper Plane, you’ll understand why it’s considered a modern classic. That said, there are a few variations worth considering, depending on what is already on your bar cart:

    • Paper Kamikaze - Swap in dark rum for the bourbon.
    • Extra Bitter Paper Plane - Swap in Campari for the Aperol. In fact, this was what Ross used for the original Paper Plane, but then decided that Aperol had a better balance.
    • Budget Version - Swap in Grand Marnier and a few dashes of Angostura bitters for the Amaro Nonino.

    Expert Tips

    • Shake vigorously to aerate, but be careful not to dilute. You’re aiming for about 45 seconds of hard shaking before you strain.
    • Use high-quality ingredients. Use fresh lemon juice and the best amaro and bourbon brands you can afford.
    Bottle of amaro nonino on a countertop next to paper plane cocktails.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is it called a Paper Plane cocktail?

    In 2007 when Sam Ross and his friends were creating this cocktail, the song Paper Planes by M.I.A. was a hit. He apparently found it inspiring enough to name a cocktail after.

    What does a Paper Airplane cocktail taste like?

    It’s sweet, sour, bitter, and earthy, and sort of reminds me of a bougie whiskey sour. If super boozy, spirit-forward cocktails are not your favorite, this is a great recipe to try with beautiful balance. 

    What is the best bourbon for making a Paper Plane?

    Taste is entirely subjective, so that’s up to you. I suggest reaching for the best bottle in your price point and looking for a minimum of 88 proof for the most balanced drink. 

    More Beverages to Try

    • Raspberry Margarita
    • Raspberry Martini
    • Blueberry Shrub with Basil Mocktail (Simple and Refreshing)
    • Raspberry Simple Syrup

    As always, I love seeing your creations and hearing from you! If you try this Paper Plane cocktail recipe, please share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter!

    Looking for more treats and beverages to whip up? Head on over to my recipe page for more new delicious ideas to create in your kitchen!

    Paper Plane Cocktail

    With a perfect balance of bitter, sour, and earthy notes, the Paper Plane Cocktail is a new classic that’s only been around since 2007. Make this gorgeous sunset-hued aperitivo drink at home using just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes. One sip and you’ll feel like the hippest folks on the block!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Beverages
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Beverage
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 Cocktail
    Calories: 185kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Cocktail Strainer
    • Aperitivo Cocktail Glasses

    Ingredients
     

    • ¾ oz Amaro Nonino
    • ¾ oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
    • ¾ oz Aperol
    • ¾ oz Bourbon
    • Lemon or Orange Zest for garnish

    Instructions

    • Add equal amounts of all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds.
      ¾ oz Amaro Nonino, ¾ oz Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, ¾ oz Aperol, ¾ oz Bourbon
    • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
    • A wide strip of orange or lemon zest and/or a small, hand-folded paper plane for excellent garnishes. Cheers!
      Lemon or Orange Zest for garnish

    Video

    Notes

    Optional Variations
    Once you try the cocktail Paper Plane, you’ll understand why it’s considered a modern classic. That said, there are a few variations worth considering, depending on what is already on your bar cart:
    • Paper Kamikaze - Swap in dark rum for the bourbon.
    • Extra Bitter Paper Plane - Swap in Campari for the Aperol. In fact, this was what Ross used for the original Paper Plane, but then decided that Aperol had a better balance.
    • Budget Version - Swap in Grand Marnier and a few dashes of Angostura bitters for the Amaro Nonino.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

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    About Emily

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

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