Sour · Aperitivo · Summer

Paper Plane

Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol and lemon in four equal pours. Bitter, citrusy and modern — this one is from 2008.

Base: Whiskey
Glass: Coupe glass
Method: Shake
Strength: 16.73% ABV

Ingredients

30 mlBourbon Whiskey1 swap
Rye whiskeymedium
Spicier, less sweet
30 mlAmaro Nonino
30 mlAperol1 swap
Campari (less)low
More bitter — use a little less
Use ~2/3 the amount
30 mlFresh Lemon Juice1 swap
Fresh lime juicemedium
A touch sharper

How to make

Technique

Shake · 10–15s

Shaking chills the drink fast while adding dilution and a light texture.

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Serve

Glass

Coupe glassAlso fine: Martini glass, Nick & Nora glass

Garnish

None

Taste & nutrition

16.73%ABV

168kcal

1.98Drinks

StrengthMedium

Sweet to dryDry / sour

Estimated from ingredient amounts and assumed ABVs — not a lab measurement.

Good to know

Use freshly squeezed juice — bottled tastes flat.

History

Year2008

PlaceNew York, USA

Created bySam Ross

Sam Ross created the Paper Plane in 2007, an equal-parts modern riff inspired by the Last Word. Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon give it a bittersweet, citrusy balance. It is named after the M.I.A. song that was on repeat while he developed it. It has become one of the most-ordered drinks of the modern era.

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