A modern classic created in 2007 by bartender Sam Ross, the Paper Plane is a perfectly balanced, equal-parts cocktail. It combines bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice for a tart, slightly bitter, and subtly sweet drink with a bright, orangey hue.
📋 Cocktail Overview
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🍸 Style: Modern Classic / Equal Parts
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🌿 Flavor Profile: Citrusy, bittersweet, smooth
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🕰 Time to Make: 5 minutes
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🥃 Glassware: Coupe or Nick and Nora glass
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🧊 Method: Shaken
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Cocktail shaker
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Jigger or measuring tool
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Fine mesh strainer
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Citrus juicer or reamer
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Coupe glass
1. Chill the Glass
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Place the coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill while preparing the cocktail.
2. Mix the Cocktail
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In a cocktail shaker, combine:
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¾ oz bourbon
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¾ oz Aperol
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¾ oz Amaro Nonino
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¾ oz fresh lemon juice
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Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until well-chilled.
3. Strain & Serve
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Discard the ice water from the glass.
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Fine strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to remove ice shards and achieve a smooth texture.
4. Garnish & Finish
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Express the oils from a lemon twist over the glass and drop it in.
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For a playful touch, cut a small paper plane garnish and clip it to the rim of the glass.
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Stronger Kick: Use a high-proof bourbon or rye for a bolder profile.
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Bittersweet Variation: Substitute Campari for Aperol for a more intense bitterness.
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Spicy Paper Plane: Add a dash of chili bitters or muddle a thin slice of jalapeño for a spicy twist.
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Fruit-Forward: Add ½ oz of pineapple juice to introduce a tropical note.
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Low-ABV Version: Reduce the bourbon to ½ oz and increase the lemon juice slightly for a lighter, more refreshing cocktail.
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Appetizers: Charcuterie board, smoked almonds, or prosciutto-wrapped melon
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Snacks: Spiced nuts, marinated olives, or aged cheese
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Dessert: Lemon bars, dark chocolate truffles, or almond biscotti
Ingredients
Directions
-
Cocktail shaker
-
Jigger or measuring tool
-
Fine mesh strainer
-
Citrus juicer or reamer
-
Coupe glass
1. Chill the Glass
-
Place the coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill while preparing the cocktail.
2. Mix the Cocktail
-
In a cocktail shaker, combine:
-
¾ oz bourbon
-
¾ oz Aperol
-
¾ oz Amaro Nonino
-
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
-
-
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until well-chilled.
3. Strain & Serve
-
Discard the ice water from the glass.
-
Fine strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to remove ice shards and achieve a smooth texture.
4. Garnish & Finish
-
Express the oils from a lemon twist over the glass and drop it in.
-
For a playful touch, cut a small paper plane garnish and clip it to the rim of the glass.
-
Stronger Kick: Use a high-proof bourbon or rye for a bolder profile.
-
Bittersweet Variation: Substitute Campari for Aperol for a more intense bitterness.
-
Spicy Paper Plane: Add a dash of chili bitters or muddle a thin slice of jalapeño for a spicy twist.
-
Fruit-Forward: Add ½ oz of pineapple juice to introduce a tropical note.
-
Low-ABV Version: Reduce the bourbon to ½ oz and increase the lemon juice slightly for a lighter, more refreshing cocktail.
-
Appetizers: Charcuterie board, smoked almonds, or prosciutto-wrapped melon
-
Snacks: Spiced nuts, marinated olives, or aged cheese
-
Dessert: Lemon bars, dark chocolate truffles, or almond biscotti