Paper plane
Paper plane is a cocktail made with equal parts bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice. It has a bittersweet and citrusy flavor that is perfect for whiskey lovers.
Paper plane recipe
- 30 ml Bourbon whiskey
- 30 ml Amaro Nonino
- 30 ml Aperol
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass.
How to shake a balanced Paper Plane
- Chill a cocktail glass first so the drink stays crisp and bright after straining. A few minutes in the freezer works well, or fill the glass with ice water while you prep.
- Measure equal parts bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and freshly squeezed lemon juice into a shaker. Because the recipe is split evenly, accuracy matters more than in many other sours.
- Fill the shaker generously with cold ice. Plenty of ice helps the drink reach the right dilution while keeping the texture lively rather than watery.
- Shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds. You want the citrus fully integrated and the drink well chilled, with a slight lightness from aeration.
- Empty the chilling ice or water from the glass, then fine strain into the cold cocktail glass to keep out small ice shards and lemon pulp.
- Serve immediately, straight up and without ice. If you like, a small lemon twist can add aroma, but the drink is usually presented clean and minimal.
Why the Paper Plane tastes so vivid
This cocktail is famous for its perfect symmetry: equal measures that somehow land in a sweet spot between bitter, tart, herbal, and warming. The bourbon gives body and vanilla-oak depth, Aperol brings orange-toned bitterness, and Amaro Nonino adds richer spice and gentian-like complexity. Fresh lemon keeps everything lifted. The result is bright and modern, with enough bitterness to stay interesting from first sip to last.
Best way to serve it
A Paper Plane is at its best very cold in a small cocktail glass. Since it is served up, temperature matters a lot more than garnish. This makes it an excellent before-dinner drink, especially for guests who enjoy both sours and amaro-forward cocktails. If it tastes too sharp, check your lemon first; if it feels too sweet, a slightly drier bourbon can help.
Modern classic backstory
The Paper Plane is a 21st-century classic created by bartender Sam Ross in the late 2000s. It is widely linked to Chicago’s Violet Hour and later New York bar culture. The name came from M.I.A.’s song “Paper Planes.” Its exact development details are sometimes retold slightly differently, but Ross is consistently credited as the creator.
A zero-proof Paper Plane-style riff
For a non-alcoholic version, try equal parts strong alcohol-free bourbon alternative, non-alcoholic Italian bitters, non-alcoholic amaro-style aperitif, and fresh lemon juice. Shake and strain the same way. It will not taste identical, but you can still capture the drink’s key contrast of citrus, bitterness, and warming herbal depth.