Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe: Modern Equal Parts

In the world of craft cocktails, few modern creations have achieved the legendary status of the Paper Plane. This perfectly balanced, equal-parts cocktail has gone from a bartender's experiment to an international phenomenon in less than two decades. If you've never experienced the harmonious blend of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice, you're in for a revelation.

The Classic Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe

The beauty of the Paper Plane lies in its elegant simplicity. This is an equal-parts cocktail, meaning each ingredient gets the same measure, creating a perfectly balanced drink that's both approachable and sophisticated.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz Aperol
• 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
2. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled
3. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
4. No garnish needed (though a lemon twist is acceptable)

The result is a drink that's citrusy, slightly bitter, subtly sweet, and wonderfully complex—all in perfect harmony.

The Equal Parts Revolution

The Paper Plane belongs to a category of cocktails known as "equal parts" drinks, where each ingredient is measured at the same ratio. This formula is forgiving for home bartenders and creates inherent balance. Think of it as the cocktail equivalent of a perfectly tuned orchestra—every instrument plays at the same volume, yet together they create something greater than the sum of their parts.

This approach isn't entirely new. The classic Last Word (gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice) pioneered this format in the Prohibition era. The Paper Plane is essentially a modern riff on this concept, swapping the botanicals for brown spirits and Italian liqueurs.

What Makes Amaro Nonino Special

If you're new to amari (plural of amaro), Amaro Nonino is an excellent introduction. This Italian digestif is lighter and more delicate than many of its darker, more bitter cousins. Produced in Friuli, Italy, since 1897, Amaro Nonino Quintessentia is made from grappa infused with herbs, roots, and flowers.

What sets it apart is its unique flavor profile: subtle bitterness balanced with hints of orange peel, honey, tamarind, and saffron. It's this complexity that makes the Paper Plane sing. While you could theoretically substitute other amari, Amaro Nonino's specific character is integral to the drink's identity. It's the ingredient that transforms this from a simple bourbon sour variation into something truly special.

Aperol's Supporting Role

While Amaro Nonino might be the star, Aperol plays an equally crucial supporting role. This vibrant orange aperitif brings bittersweet balance and a beautiful coral hue to the drink. With its notes of orange, rhubarb, and gentian, Aperol adds layers of complexity while tempering the bourbon's strength and the lemon's acidity.

Aperol's lower alcohol content (11% ABV) also helps keep the Paper Plane approachable. Despite containing bourbon, this cocktail clocks in at a moderate proof, making it an ideal aperitif or all-evening sipper. If you're looking to expand your bourbon cocktail knowledge, our Bourbon Cocktails for Beginners guide covers everything you need to know about selecting and using bourbon in classic drinks.

The History: From Milk & Honey to the World

The Paper Plane was created in 2007 by Australian bartender Sam Ross while working at Milk & Honey, the legendary New York City speakeasy that helped launch the modern craft cocktail movement. Ross, who also created the Penicillin (another modern classic), was inspired by the M.I.A. song "Paper Planes" when crafting this drink.

The timing was perfect. The mid-2000s saw a renaissance in American craft cocktail culture, with bartenders rediscovering forgotten classics while creating new standards. The Paper Plane arrived at exactly the right moment—sophisticated enough for cocktail nerds, accessible enough for casual drinkers, and Instagram-worthy before Instagram even existed.

The drink gained momentum through the late 2000s and exploded in popularity during the 2010s. Today, it's a modern classic found on cocktail menus worldwide, often considered an essential part of any bartender's repertoire alongside the Manhattan and the Negroni.

Choosing Your Bourbon

While the Paper Plane is forgiving, your bourbon choice does matter. You're looking for something with enough character to stand up to the Aperol and Amaro Nonino, but not so bold that it dominates the drink. For guidance on selecting the right bourbon for cocktails, check out our Bourbon Cocktails for Beginners resource.

Recommended bourbons:

• Bulleit Bourbon: High rye content adds spice that complements the bitter elements
• Buffalo Trace: Well-rounded and affordable, perfect for this application
• Four Roses Small Batch: Smooth with floral notes that play well with the amaro
• Wild Turkey 101: Higher proof adds backbone without overwhelming

Avoid heavily oaked or barrel-proof bourbons, as they can throw off the drink's delicate balance. Save your premium sipping bourbon for neat pours and opt for quality mid-range bottles for your Paper Planes.

Technique: Shaken, Not Stirred

The Paper Plane is always shaken, never stirred. This isn't just about James Bond aesthetics—there are good reasons for the technique.

Shaking with ice does three crucial things:

1. Chills the drink rapidly: Essential for a refreshing cocktail
2. Dilutes properly: Adds water that opens up flavors and softens the alcohol
3. Aerates the mixture: Creates a silky texture and slight foam

Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. You should feel the shaker become ice-cold in your hands. Then double strain through both your Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to catch ice chips and pulp, ensuring a smooth, elegant pour.

The traditional vessel is a chilled coupe glass, which shows off the drink's beautiful color while the wide bowl releases aromatic compounds. A Nick and Nora glass works equally well if you prefer a smaller serve.

Variations and Riffs

Once you've mastered the classic Paper Plane, the equal-parts format invites experimentation. Here are some notable variations:

The Final Ward

Created by Phil Ward (no relation to the Last Word), this variation swaps rye whiskey for bourbon and uses green Chartreuse instead of Aperol. The result is more herbaceous and intense.

Recipe:

• 3/4 oz rye whiskey
• 3/4 oz green Chartreuse
• 3/4 oz Amaro Nonino
• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

The Division Bell

Another Phil Ward creation, this version uses mezcal instead of bourbon and adds Aperol to the mix.

Recipe:

• 3/4 oz mezcal
• 3/4 oz Aperol
• 3/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino
• 3/4 oz fresh lime juice

Amaro Substitutions

If you can't find Amaro Nonino (or want to experiment), try these alternatives:

• Amaro Montenegro: Sweeter and more vanilla-forward
• Amaro Averna: Richer and darker, with more pronounced bitter notes
• Ramazzotti: Closer to Nonino's profile with orange and herbal notes

Keep in mind that each amaro will create a distinctly different drink. Part of the Paper Plane's magic is Amaro Nonino's specific character. For a broader perspective on amaro-forward cocktails, check out the Boulevardier, another classic that highlights Italian liqueurs beautifully.

Final Thoughts

The Paper Plane cocktail represents everything great about modern mixology: respect for classic techniques, creative use of quality ingredients, and perfect balance in every sip. Whether you're a seasoned home bartender or just beginning your cocktail journey with our Bourbon Cocktails for Beginners guide, this drink deserves a place in your repertoire.

The equal-parts formula makes it nearly foolproof, the ingredients are accessible (with the possible exception of Amaro Nonino, which is worth hunting down), and the result is sophisticated enough to impress guests while remaining approachable enough to enjoy any night of the week.

So grab your shaker, invest in a bottle of Amaro Nonino, and experience why this 2007 creation has earned its place among the cocktail canon. The Paper Plane isn't just a drink—it's a masterclass in balance, a tribute to the power of equal parts, and proof that modern classics can rival their historical counterparts.

Cheers to Sam Ross, to Milk & Honey, and to the enduring appeal of a perfectly crafted cocktail.