The Paper Plane cocktail represents one of the most successful modern classics to emerge from the craft cocktail renaissance of the 2000s. Created by renowned bartender Sam Ross in 2008 for the opening of The Violet Hour in Chicago, this equal-parts cocktail has earned its place alongside timeless drinks through its masterful balance of flavors and approachable complexity.
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The Paper Plane follows a beautifully simple equal-parts formula using four key ingredients: bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice. Each component contributes exactly 3/4 ounce to create a perfectly balanced cocktail that showcases the interplay between sweet, bitter, and sour elements. The bourbon provides warmth and sweetness, while Aperol contributes citrusy brightness and the signature orange color that makes this cocktail visually striking.
The preparation technique is straightforward but requires attention to detail. All ingredients are combined in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, then shaken vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled. The cocktail is then double-strained into a chilled coupe glass, ensuring a smooth texture free from ice chips or pulp.
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What sets the Paper Plane apart from other bourbon cocktails is its use of Amaro Nonino, a sweet Italian liqueur that adds unique depth and complexity to the drink. This amaro works in harmony with the Aperol to create what mixologists call “the interplay of two amari” – where the lower-proof, citrusy Aperol brightens the drink while the more complex Amaro Nonino provides botanical depth and lingering finish.
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The cocktail’s creation story reflects both musical and mixological influences. Ross named the drink after M.I.A.’s hit song “Paper Planes,” which was dominating radio waves during the summer of 2008 when he developed the recipe. More importantly from a cocktail perspective, the Paper Plane draws structural inspiration from The Last Word, a prohibition-era classic that also uses equal parts of four ingredients – gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
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The Paper Plane achieves what many consider the holy grail of cocktail making: perfect balance. The drink presents as bright and citrusy upfront, thanks to the fresh lemon juice and Aperol, while the bourbon provides a warming backbone. The Amaro Nonino contributes a subtle bitterness and herbal complexity that prevents the cocktail from being overly sweet, creating what Maker’s Mark describes as “just a kiss of bitterness”.
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Proper presentation enhances the Paper Plane experience significantly. The cocktail is traditionally served in a coupe glass, which concentrates the aromatics and provides an elegant presentation. Garnish options include expressing lemon oils over the surface for aromatic enhancement, or using a lemon twist or orange peel. Some bartenders even garnish with a tiny paper airplane as a playful nod to the cocktail’s name.
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Contemporary mixologists have developed numerous variations while maintaining the equal-parts structure that defines the original. Some bartenders experiment with different base spirits, such as aged rum paired with Campari for a more bitter, grapefruit-forward variation. Others incorporate tea infusions or fruit-infused amaros to create unique interpretations while respecting the cocktail’s foundational balance principles.
The Paper Plane’s enduring popularity stems from its accessibility to both professional bartenders and home cocktail enthusiasts, requiring no specialized syrups or obscure ingredients while delivering the complexity that defines great cocktails.
