Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe

OK, today we’re working with one of my absolute favorites! If you’re not familiar with the Paper Plane cocktail, you’re in for a real treat. This modern classic is a zesty, equal-parts sipper that balances bittersweet liqueurs with lemon and the boldness of whiskey. 

Let’s be honest: I had Chris make this fantastic drink because it’s one of my absolute favorite cocktails, and it was about time we included it on the blog. So buckle up, cocktail enthusiasts; it’s time to explore a delightful blend that’s bound to become your go-to nightcap– I hope you enjoy this bourbon-based drink as much as I do!

Jump to Recipe

 

 

History of the Paper Plane Cocktail

Created in 2007 by celebrated bartender & co-owner of Attaboy in New York, Sam Ross, the Paper Plane cocktail is a testament to modern mixology’s flair for reinvention– after all, it’s a creative twist on the Last Word  (a classic cocktail featuring gin, maraschino liqueur, fresh lime juice, and Green Chartreuse). However, it replaces gin with bourbon and adds Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon, which results is a blend of tangy, bittersweet flavors.

 

 

The longer version of the story is that bartender Toby Maloney asked Ross to make an original drink for Chicago’s The Violet Hour (where Maloney is a partner). The two had worked at New York’s Milk & Honey together. Ross originally used Campari, but The Violet Hour later switched it to Aperol for a more balanced and less bitter profile.

And in case you’re wondering, the name comes from the 2007 hit song, “Paper Planes,” which was extremely popular at the time. Also worth noting: This drink is sometimes called the Paper Airplane, just FYI for Googling purposes.

 

 

Paper Plane Ingredients

Made with equal parts of each ingredient, this delicious drink offers a surprisingly complex and balanced taste. It combines the strong flavor of bourbon, the bitter orange of Aperol, the herbal notes of Amaro Nonino, and the sharp zest of fresh lemon juice.

As Chris explains in the recipe video, this falls into the sour cocktail category and is technically a daisy cocktail (a subcategory of the sour family) because it includes a liqueur for the sweetener.  Together, these four ingredients create a layered flavor profile that is both unique and unexpectedly familiar– Maybe that’s why it’s in my list of top 3 cocktails!

• Bourbon: Bourbon brings robust caramel, vanilla, and oak notes, adding richness to the drink. Opt for a bourbon that’s not too delicate; its warmth and depth should complement the other ingredients without overpowering them.
• Aperol: Aperol is the source of this cocktail’s distinctive bittersweet orange flavor. With lower alcohol content and a blend of herbs and roots, it contributes a tangy yet gentle bitterness that ties with the sweetness of bourbon and enhances the drink’s vibrant citrus profile. It creates a nice, subtle combination of flavors that Campari doesn’t quite achieve.
• Amaro Nonino Quintessentia: This unique amaro made from Alpine herbs introduces real complexity to the Paper Plane. With a delicate balance of sweet, bitter, and herbal flavors, the Italian liqueur’s nuanced profile features notes of orange peel and spices, enriching the cocktail with citrus & herbal notes.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Lemon ties the other ingredients together. Its bright acidity adds a refreshing citrus kick, balancing the sweetness and providing a crisp, tart note that plays off the Aperol and elevates the drink’s overall vibrancy and freshness.

 

 

Each ingredient contributes a unique quality, resulting in a bold, balanced, and boozy drink. The fact that each ingredient is equal parts makes this a really well-rounded cocktail that is fun, unique, and palate-pleasing. (Again, one of my favorite bourbon cocktails, so…)

 

 

Crafting the Perfect Paper Plane

Mixing up this delicious cocktail is as effortless as folding paper… Well, not if you’re me. I’m terrible at it, as evidenced by our recent office paper plane competition, which our resident bartender & head of education, Rob, easily won. 

But enough about how I don’t know how to make an actual paper airplane and on to making the Paper Plane cocktail. Check out the video below to see how Chris makes this should-be-classic drink (I’m not biased, I swear), and then scroll down to the bottom to get the cocktail recipe.

 

Variations and Personal Touches

While the classic Paper Plane is wonderful as it is, it also offers mixologists the opportunity to express their creativity and add their own twist. Explore variations by swapping bourbon for rye, adjusting the ratios, or introducing new liqueurs to suit your taste buds. The sky’s the limit—so spread your cocktail wings and experiment!

 

 

• Naked and Famous: Another one of my absolute favorite cocktails, this equal-parts drink combines mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, and fresh lime juice for a smoky, bitter, and herbal mix.
• New Direction: Swap out the bourbon for rye whiskey or even a peated Scotch. Rye adds a spicier kick, while Scotch brings smoky nuances to the cocktail.
• Paper Train: Replace the Aperol with another amaro or liqueur, such as Cynar, which introduces strongly bitter artichoke flavors, or Luxardo Bitter Bianco for a different bitter-sweet balance. Similarly, the Regional Jet starts with the basic recipe, upping the bourbon component to 1 ounce and changing the Amaro Nonino to Cynar. 
• Origami Twist: Experiment with different citrus juices, such as grapefruit or blood orange, instead of lemon juice. This modification provides a tangy variation to the cocktail that plays differently off the Aperol.
• Flight Delay: Increase the bourbon and Aperol portions while reducing the other ingredients slightly to create a boozier, more spirit-forward version of the cocktail.
• Paper Boat: Add a splash of ginger liqueur or ginger syrup to infuse the drink with a spicy, zesty undertone, complementing the cocktail’s existing flavors.
• Sweet Plane, Bro: If you like the idea of this drink but it’s just a little too bold, add 0.25 ounce simple syrup (or more) to bring a little sweetness.

 

 

Our Variation

For something totally different yet similar to the original formula, try our variation with rum & Campari– It’s more bitter and has a grapefruit undertone that marries with the molasses notes of the rum.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 ounce Aged Rum
• 3/4 ounce Hilde Botanical Liqueuer
• 3/4 ounce Campari
• 3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

DIRECTIONS:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice for 10-15 seconds. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass, and serve with an orange peel or lemon twist.

 

 

Take Flight with a Paper Plane

So what do you think? Is it one of your favorite drinks, too? Let me know in the comments how you like this tasty modern cocktail & our version– or if you have another variation you love. Cheers!