Take your taste buds on a flight with this Paper Plane cocktail recipe – a bold and balanced blend of bourbon, amaro, Aperol, and fresh lemon juice that’s sure to soar to the top of your list of favorite drinks. Get ready to elevate your next happy hour with this delightful cocktail!
If you love a good bittersweet and sour cocktail like this one, be sure to check out my other cocktail recipes, especially the Man O’ War Cocktail – it’s kind of like a cross between a Whiskey Sour and a Manhattan cocktail.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Delicious and balanced taste: The Paper Plane cocktail is a harmonious blend of equal parts bourbon, Italian amaro, Aperol, and fresh citrus juice that results in a bold and well-balanced flavor profile, making it an enjoyable drink for any occasion.
- Simple recipe: The recipe for the Paper Plane cocktail is easy to follow, with only four ingredients that are commonly found in most home bars. This makes it a great option for both novice and experienced mixologists who are looking for a quick and easy drink to make.
- Uncommon and intriguing cocktail: As the Paper Plane cocktail is not as well-known as some other classic cocktails, serving it to guests can pique their curiosity and spark conversation. It’s a unique and unexpected choice that can add a touch of fun and creativity to any gathering.
Paper Plane History and Origin
The Paper Plane recipe was created by New York bartender Sam Ross in 2007. Ross, who had previously worked at the New York’s Milk & Honey bar, was the head bartender at a new cocktail bar called Little Branch, where he developed the Paper Plane as a tribute to his friend and fellow bartender, Toby Maloney.
The drink is believed to be a modern variation of the Last Word cocktail, a classic drink made with gin that was popular during the Prohibition era. Ross replaced the gin with Kentucky bourbon and swapped out the green Chartreuse for Aperol to create this new drink.
The Paper Plane quickly gained popularity in the cocktail world and has since become a modern classic cocktail. It has been featured on the cocktail menus of many top bars and restaurants around the world and has inspired countless variations and adaptations.
Ingredient Notes
- Bourbon is a type of American whiskey made from at least 51% corn, which gives it a sweet and smooth flavor. It is often aged in charred oak barrels, which imparts notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak.
- Aperol is an Italian liqueur made from bitter and sweet oranges, herbs, and roots. It has a bright orange color and a unique bittersweet taste that makes it a popular ingredient in cocktails.
- Amaro is an Italian bitter liqueur made by infusing a neutral spirit with a blend of herbs, roots, and citrus. Its name means “bitter” in Italian, and it has a bitter and complex flavor profile that can vary depending on the brand and recipe.
- Lemon juice adds a sour element that creates a beautiful balance with the Paper Plane’s bittersweet flavor. Opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice whenever possible for the best taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 3: Add the lemon juice.
Step 4: Add the Aperol.
Step 5: Add ice and shake the cocktail shaker until well chilled.
Step 6: Strain into a coupe glass.
Step 7: To make a “plane-like” lemon garnish – cut a lemon peel into a diamond shape with a slit in the middle.
Step 8: Fold the diamond in half and place the rim of the glass through the middle slit.
Tips and FAQ
What is amaro?
Amaro is an Italian herbal liqueur that is typically consumed as a digestif. It is made by infusing a neutral spirit with a blend of herbs, roots, citrus, and other botanicals, which can vary depending on the specific recipe and brand. Amaro has a bitter and complex flavor profile that can range from sweet to spicy to herbal, and it is often served neat, on the rocks, or as an ingredient in cocktails.
Is amaro similar to Aperol?
Aperol is technically a type of amaro liqueur. It is a bit sweeter than your typical amaro, but it still has the classic bitter flavor with herbal notes that is characteristic of amaro.
What does Aperol taste like?
Aperol is an Italian orange liqueur that has a distinctive bittersweet taste. It has a bright orange color and a unique flavor profile that is characterized by sweet and bitter orange, herbal and floral notes. It’s a popular ingredient in cocktails such as the Aperol Spritz and the Paper Plane. You can learn more about Aperol and its close relative Campari in my post about Aperol vs. Campari.
What is the percent alcohol by volume (% ABV) of a Paper Plane cocktail?
The alcohol content, or ABV, of a Paper Plane cocktail can vary depending on the specific recipe and the amount of each ingredient used. According to Difford’s, it typically clocks in at around 17% ABV (about the alcohol content of a strong wine).
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Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Bourbon whiskey
- 1 ounce Amaro
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 1 ounce Lemon juice
- Lemon twist for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the bourbon, Aperol, amaro, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
- Cut a lemon peel into a diamond shape with a slit in the middle.
- Fold the diamond in half and place the rim of the glass through the middle slit.
Nutrition
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darqman
I enjoyed this as written, but enjoyed it even more with 2 Oz bourbon vs 1 Oz.
Melissa
So happy you enjoyed it! I’ll have to try increasing the bourbon next time I make one 🙂
CH
Loved it!