Cocktails › Classics › Paper Plane
Paper Plane
Four pours, all the same size, and every one of them pulls its weight. A Paper Plane is bright and bitter at once, the bourbon warm and round, the Aperol soft with orange, the Amaro Nonino deep with herbs and citrus peel, and the lemon cutting through it all so the glass stays sharp from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 0.75oz (22ml) bourbon
- 0.75oz (22ml) Aperol
- 0.75oz (22ml) Amaro Nonino
- 0.75oz (22ml) fresh lemon juice
- Plenty of fresh ice
- Lemon twist, for garnish
Method
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer, or fill it with ice water while you work.
- Add the bourbon, the Aperol, the Amaro Nonino, and the lemon juice to a shaker filled with fresh ice.
- Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the drink is well chilled.
- Strain into the chilled coupe and let the amber colour settle for a moment.
- Express the lemon twist over the glass, then rest it on the rim or drop it in.
Tip: Measure with real care, because equal parts leaves nowhere to hide. A little extra lemon and the bitter notes fall flat. A little extra Aperol and the glass turns soft and sweet. Pour each one at three quarters of an ounce and trust the balance the recipe was built on.
Serve It With
Our sister site Cooking with Dade pairs it with Beef and Gravy Stew in the Crockpot.
Variations
- Campari Paper Plane. Swap the Aperol for Campari. The orange turns firmer and more bitter, the bourbon pushes back harder, and the finish grows drier and longer, a bolder glass for drinkers who like their bitterness up front.
- Rye Paper Plane. Swap the bourbon for rye whiskey. The base turns to warm spice, the citrus reads brighter, and the whole glass feels leaner and sharper from the first sip to the last.
Questions
What is in a Paper Plane?
Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice, all in equal parts. The drink is shaken hard with ice, strained into a chilled coupe, and finished with a lemon twist.
Where does the Paper Plane come from?
The Paper Plane was created by bartender Sam Ross in Chicago in 2007 for the opening menu of The Violet Hour. The name nods to the song Paper Planes by M.I.A., a track Ross had on while he worked on the drink.
What does Amaro Nonino do in a Paper Plane?
Amaro Nonino brings gentle bitterness with orange peel, herbs, and a soft floral edge. It sits between the sweetness of the Aperol and the warmth of the bourbon, and the glass loses its balance without it.
Can I make a Paper Plane with Campari instead of Aperol?
Yes. Campari makes the drink firmer, drier, and more bitter, with the orange note pushed harder. It makes a bold and tasty glass, but it reads less soft and round than the classic pour.
What bourbon works best in a Paper Plane?
A straight bourbon with warm vanilla and enough body works best, because the Aperol, the amaro, and the lemon all push hard on flavour. A solid bottle at a good strength holds its own and keeps the finish warm and clean.