If you’re looking for a boozy, complex, beautifully balanced cocktail that feels impressive without being fussy, this is it! You probably already know the four ingredients (thanks Google! 😉), but here’s everything else: what a Paper Plane cocktail actually tastes like, what to swap if you can’t find Amaro Nonino, and a few variations worth trying. And let’s just dive straight into what we need to make one:
There are four total ingredients in a Paper Plane cocktail: bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice. No special syrups, no extra bitters, just booze and fresh lemon juice. And just for a fair warning, my version is especially dangerous because it has an extra ounce of cocktail compared to the original recipe. 😈 (If you want to do a test round of it before committing, feel free to pour 1/2 ounce of each ingredient together rather than the full ounce!) Now let’s get after some ingredient notes, swaps, and variations of this awesome drink.
Paper Plane Cocktail History:
Bartender Sam Ross, New York City bartender and modern cocktail extraordinaire, developed the Paper Plane cocktail in 2008. He created it for the opening of The Violet Hour, which is one of the most incredible cocktail bars in Chicago. Sam named the drink after the M.I.A. song, “Paper Planes”, that was super popular during the summer the drink was created. It is based on a classic, prohibition-era cocktail, The Last Word, which is an equal-parts-ingredients based drink made with gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
Ingredients for a Paper Plane Cocktail
- 1 oz. Bourbon
- 1 oz. Aperol
- 1 oz. Amaro Nonino*
- 1 oz. freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
Like I mentioned above, my version makes one four-ounce cocktail, or you can just divide it into two cocktails if you’re easing into the evening. 🙂 The original recipe calls for 3/4 oz. of each, which makes a three-ounce drink. Either works; just keep everything equal parts.
Ingredient Notes
• Bourbon is your backbone spirit in this drink. It doesn’t need to be a special bourbon. A mid-range, well-made bourbon is great. Here are some ideas:
- Four Roses Small Batch (around $35-40)
- Knob Creek 9 Year (around $35)
- Buffalo Trace (around $25)
• Aperol is an Italian aperitif that has a citrusy, rhubarb-y, slightly bitter flavor to it. If you’re familiar with an Aperol Spritz, then you know what Aperol tastes like It balances the Paper Plane cocktail, but I personally prefer Contratro Aperitif in place of Aperol in any drink. Also, for a more bitter approach, you could use Campari or Contratto Bitter instead.
• *Amaro Nonino (also known as Amaro Nonino Quintessentia) is a specific type of Italian liqueur that is made with herbs, spices, and botanicals. There are several Amari available, and they are typically named after the family that created them. Amaro Nonino dates back to the Nonino family from the 1930s, and is a uniquely bittersweet Amaro with caramel, citrus, and herbal notes. Amaro can be very different from one another, and Amaro Nonino is very specific to the Paper Plane recipe. I have substitutions below if you can’t find it! Just know that the flavor will differ slightly.
• Fresh Lemon Juice ties everything together. Use fresh. Don’t use bottled.
Amaro Nonino Substitues:
Amaro Nonino is genuinely the best choice here, but if you can’t find it, these will work:
- Amaro Montenegro is the best choice for a swap here! It’s a little brighter and lighter, but works great in this cocktail
- Amaro Averna has a richer flavor and darker appearance, so the drink will be slightly heavier
- Cynar is made from artichokes and is way more bitter, so it’s an option if you like to get weird with things ( mean that genuinely 🧡)
- Boutique Italian Sweet Vermouth (such as Fred Jerbis) can all vary in flavor, but it’s really fun to play around with some you’ve never tried before!
- As a last resort ONLY, 2-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters will add that bitter note, but won’t bring the complexity
If you aren’t familiar with Amaro, this is a great opportunity to try it out! Amaro reminds me a bit of really good sweet vermouth: it’s very complex, a touch bitter, a little fruity, and so delicious. There are SO MANY different versions, so it’s really cool to try a few different ones separately from this drink.
Of course, you’re welcome to take this cocktail recipe and play around with it to form your own variation, too! We all have such unique tastes, so it’s cool to see what other flavor companions you can come up with to make your perfect cocktail at home. I have a couple of variation ideas for you listed below.
Paper Plane Cocktail Variations:
- Swap rum for bourbon. It’s a little more tropical, and called a Paper Kamikaze.
- Swap Campari for Aperol for more bitterness. If you’re into Negronis, this is a great swap. Or use the *better* versions of both Campari and Aperol that I mentioned above 😏
- Swap Amaro Nonino for Grand Mariner (or Gran Gala) and add a dash or two of bitters for a sweeter, more orange-forward flavor.
Tips for making the perfect Paper Plane
- Use fresh lemon juice! I mean it! 😅 Bottled lemon juice will flatten the whole drink. This cocktail lives and dies by balance, and fresh lemon is a must.
- Shake hard. You want it very cold and slightly diluted, so about 15 seconds of vigorous shaking will do it.
- Double strain it. Pour through both the cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch any lemon pulp or ice chips. It makes a difference in the texture.
- Chill your glass first. Pop a coupe, martini , or Nick and Nora glass in the freezer for a few minutes before you make the drink. A warm glass kills a cold cocktail fast. 😞
- Keep everything equal parts. The magic of this drink is the balance, so don’t wing it! Measure it.
FAQs
Is the Paper Plane a strong cocktail?
Yes, and we love that. The classic recipe is three ounces of straight booze with only lemon juice for balance, so there’s no simple syrup, no soda, nothing to really dilute it except for a tiny bit of ice as you shake it. My version is four ounces, which makes it even more potent. Sip it, don’t chug it. ☺️
What does a Paper Plane taste like?
Boozy, bitter, a tiny bit sour, and a little fruity all at once, I guess. Somehow it’s perfectly balanced though! If you like a Whiskey Sour or a Negroni, this is your drink.
Can I make a batch of Paper Planes ahead of time?
Yes you can! Because it’s equal parts, batching this cocktail is super easy. Combine everything except the lemon juice (so the bourbon, Aperol, and amaro), keep it cold, then add the fresh lemon right before serving so the brightness doesn’t fade. Ideally, pour three ounces of the batched booze into a cocktail shaker along with one ounce of lemon juice, then shake and serve.
What glass should I use?
A coupe or a martini glass work great, but I’m always partial to a Nick and Nora. SPECIFICALLY the Nick and Nora glasses from Crate and Barrel. No joke. Mark accidentally broke one of mine one night and I still haven’t recovered. 😞
Where can I find Amaro Nonino?
Most well-stocked liquor stores carry it, or ask them to order it. It runs about $50 a bottle and is absolutely worth it; you’ll use it for the Paper Plane, but you can also use it in a Black Manhattan OR just sip it on its own! (And support local liquor or wine shops if you can!)
More bourbon cocktails to love
I hope you had fun hanging out with me throughout this entire post. 😅 Here are a few more bourbon cocktails from my site!
- Witty Comeback (Rye and Amaro Cocktail): if you’re getting Amaro for the Paper Plane, use it here, too! This one is SO fun
- Brown Butter Bourbon Derby Cocktail is rich and a little nutty. I collabed with my friend Tyler from Schmidty Bakes for this one! (He has a cookie recipe to go with it!)
- Blackberry Bourbon Smash: This one is way more fresh and fruity, which is so great for summer!
- Man O’ War Bourbon Cocktail is a cocktail you NEED. It’s bold and a little sweet, and absolutely perfect if you love a Manhattan vibe
I hope you love the Paper Plane as much as I do! It’s honestly perfect for before OR after dinner cocktails, and hopefully soon to be one of your new favorite cocktails. Feel free to reach out to me via email with any questions, and follow me on Instagram for more cocktail and small batch recipes!
xx Sara
Paper Plane Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Bourbon
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 1 ounce Amaro Nonino
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds. Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest @aflavorjournal and on Instagram @aflavorjournal
Comments & Reviews
I had this for the first time at a bar in Napa. It’s my new favorite cocktail. Your recipe is perfect
I’m so glad you like it, Cassie! Thank you!