Named after M.I.A.’s hit song, the Paper Plane cocktail was created for the opening of the Violet Hour in Chicago by bartender Sam Ross circa 2007. (FYI, Ross also developed the Penicillin). Now considered a modern-classic cocktail, early iterations of the drink balanced the bittersweet Italian liqueur Campari with nutty Amaro Nonino, bourbon, and lemon juice, explains Robert Simonson in The Encyclopedia of Cocktails, but Ross swapped out higher-proof Campari for its more delicate sibling Aperol when he put it on the menu at New York City bars Milk & Honey and Little Branch. Since then the drink’s popularity has spread across North America.
If you’re new to mixing drinks, this aperitif is a good place to start since it’s an equal-parts cocktail recipe (and there’s no complicated garnish to master…unless you want to shape cute little orange or grapefruit zest airplanes). While a coupe is the traditional cocktail glass for serving it, a Nick and Nora glass (or even a rocks glass) would work if that’s what you have on hand.
Amaro Nonino Quintessentia is still the amaro of choice for this drink recipe, but you can play around, swapping it out for Montenegro, Averna, Sfumato, or another bottle that looks enticing.
Recipe information
Total Time
2 minutes
Yield
Makes 2
Ingredients
1½
1½
1½
1½
2
Preparation
Combine 1½ oz. amaro (preferably Nonino), 1½ oz. Aperol, 1½ oz. bourbon, 1½ oz. fresh lemon juice, strained, in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until outside of shaker is frosty, about 20 seconds. Strain into 2 coupe glasses. Twist a 1 wide strip of orange peel (if using) over each glass to express its oils, drop the peel into the glass, and serve.
Editor’s note: This Paper Plane cocktail recipe was first printed in our February 2016 issue. Head this way for more of our favorite bourbon cocktails →
Leave a Review
Reviews (131)
Back to TopThoughts on subbing tequila and like for the bourbon and lemon?
Tim
WV
11/16/2020
One of my favorites. For those, like me who are having a terrible time finding Nonino, I can highly recommend Amaro Amorino from Letterpress Distilling in Seattle as a substitute.
Dillon
Seattle, WA
10/30/2021
I will look for variations to this recipe. It felt like too much lemon juice and too much amaro and aperol. A bit too acidic and bitter. Maybe more bourbon!
Nancy
Los Angeles
11/28/2021
Delicious EXACTLY s the recipe suggests. Wouldn’t change a thing!
Kim
Los Angeles
12/25/2021
This is my absolute favorite cocktail. I have tried several different Amaro's and Amaro Montenegro is my favorite pairing. Amaro Nonino is also great though! Perfectly refreshing and complex. If you're looking for a drink that tastes clearly of bourbon, this is not it. I love bourbon but I would say this drink focuses more on the aperitif/deigestifs.
Anonymous
Cleveland, OH
12/30/2021
My favorite cocktail this year. Equal amounts of ingredients makes it easy to make - and therefore deadly!
Anonymous
Vermont
1/28/2022
This drink was created by Sam Ross while at Milk and Honey in NYC. The credit should be given to him, not Pollack.
Anonymous
Los Angeles, CA
1/31/2022