The Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe is a great bourbon drink to add to your home bar skills. If you want to order a fancy and unique cocktail, be sure to read this recipe. The combination of bourbon, Aperol, amaro and lemon juice creates a bright orange cocktail with citrus notes, vegetal notes, warmth and the perfect balance of sweet and bitter.
Related: Old Fashioned Cocktail, Manhattan, Negroni, Rusty Nail, Espresso Martini, Bee’s Knees, Boulevardier, Aviation, Spaghett, The Last Word, Aperol Spritz.
materials for paper airplanes
- bourbon – Add some sweetness and warmth to this recipe.
- Aperol – A citrusy, botanical liqueur that adds color and flavor to this recipe.
- Amaro Nonino – A sweet liqueur that adds unique flavor and depth.
- lemon juice – Fresh citrus fruits for the perfect balance.
The best glassware for this cocktail is: coupe glass. I am gold cocktail picks To secure my little paper airplane decorations.
guideline
Pour the bourbon, Aperol, and Amaro Nonino into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Then add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Shake for 10-15 seconds until completely cool.
Pour into chilled coupe glasses. Decorate with small paper airplanes or orange twists.
What does paper airplane drink taste like?
This is a sweet and strong cocktail. A blend of equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amero and lemon juice, this drink is well balanced. There is bitterness and there is sweetness. The best flavors are citrus, followed by botanical bitters and woody bourbon notes.
Paper Plane is a modern take on the Last Word Cocktail, another drink made with gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice. These two drinks have little in common, but they share the same unique combination of citrus, botanical liqueurs, and liquor to create a uniquely sweet and strong cocktail. The two drinks are cousins and one of my personal favorite cocktails. Try both and see which recipe you like best.
history
We’re always sharing cocktails here on the blog, and honestly, I haven’t seen such an instant classic lately! The most popular drink has been around for over 100 years, or almost 100 years! This drink was created by bartender Sam Ross in 2008. Sam is a well-known bartender and co-owner of Attaboy and Diamond Reef in New York City. Ross is a NYC bartender, but he created this recipe specifically for The Violet Hour in Chicago. He named the drink after the MIA song ‘Paper Planes’, which he was constantly listening to at the time.
As he created the recipe, Ross recalled: “We tested 0.75 ounces of bourbon with all kinds of spirits, including rye, applejack, and brandy, to make sure it was just right. And it did.”
Crafting Tips
- If you don’t have Aperol, you can substitute Campari, but the resulting cocktail will be more bitter (I add a little simple syrup to taste to offset this).
- Amaron Nonino is a bit expensive (about $50 per bottle) and can be tricky to find. Some substitutes are Amaro Averna, Amaro Montenegro or Cynar (Italian Amaro).
- Decoration idea: Little paper airplanes are the most adorable decorations. Other ideas include lemon peel or an orange twist.
offer suggestions
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s in a Paper Airplane Cocktail?
Mix equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice.
Is Paper Plane a strong cocktail?
Yes, Paper Plane is a cocktail that delivers spirit.
Is the Paper Plane cocktail made with Aperol or Campari?
Paper airplanes are made with Aperol.
Get our free recipe guide most popular Recipes of all time!
Free Popular Recipe Guide
The 25 best recipes of all time!
Get the Recipe
Learn how to make a paper airplane cocktail using just four ingredients.
guideline
-
Pour the bourbon, Aperol, and Amaro Nonino into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Then add freshly squeezed lemon juice.
-
Shake for 10-15 seconds until completely cool.
-
Pour into chilled coupe glasses. Decorate with small paper airplanes or orange twists.
memo
- If you don’t have Aperol, you can substitute Campari, but the resulting cocktail will be more bitter (to offset this, I add a little simple syrup to taste).
- Amaron Nonino is a bit expensive (about $50 per bottle) and can be tricky to find. Some substitutes are Amaro Averna, Amaro Montenegro or Cynar (Italian Amaro).
- Decoration idea: Little paper airplanes are the most adorable decorations. Other ideas include lemon peel or an orange twist.
nutrition
Nutrition Facts
paper airplane cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Note: Nutrition is automatically calculated using Spoonacular for your convenience. We recommend using your own nutritional calculations where applicable.
