Profile
The Paper Plane is a modern classic cocktail celebrated for its vibrant color, balanced flavor, and effortless structure. Created in 2007 by Sam Ross, co-owner of NYC’s famed Attaboy, the drink is named after M.I.A.’s song “Paper Planes.” It combines bitter, sweet, and sour notes into a perfectly harmonized aperitif that feels as appropriate at an upscale bar as it does in a casual home setting. The cocktail has soared in popularity over the years, recently earning widespread acclaim for its unique profile and ease of preparation.
Ingredients
All ingredients are used in equal parts, making this cocktail easy to memorize and batch:
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¾ oz Bourbon (preferably something smooth and not overly oaky)
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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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Ice (for shaking)
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Optional garnish: Thin lemon twist or dehydrated citrus wheel
Steps
1. Chill your glass
Fill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass with ice water and set it aside.
2. Add ingredients to a shaker
Pour the following into a cocktail shaker:
- ¾ oz Bourbon
- ¾ oz Aperol
- ¾ oz Amaro Nonino
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
3. Add ice and shake
Fill the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Strain
Empty the ice water from your glass. Double strain the cocktail into the glass using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer.
5. Garnish and serve
Garnish with a lemon twist or dehydrated citrus wheel. Serve immediately.