The Paper Plane

The Paper Plane cocktail might seem like one of the old classics, but this notoriously delicious mixed drink is actually quite young.

Consisting of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro liqueur, and lemon juice, the combination of those four ingredients creates a complex and intricate flavor profile that is simultaneously smooth, sweet, and bold.

History

This ultra-trendy cocktail has a neat origin story, even though it’s less than fifteen years old. Ever heard of a little bar from NYC called Milk and Honey? It’s only one of the most famous bars in the U.S.!

Their bartender, Sam Ross, who is also responsible for bringing bargoers everywhere the Penicillin, gets the credit for inventing this delicious drink. Actually, he created it for his longtime friend, who was opening a bar in Chicago called The Violet Hour.

Think back to summer 2008: remember that super popular song from M.I.A. called Paper Planes? Well, that song was Ross’s inspiration for creating this cocktail.

It was such a hit when it debuted at The Violet Hour that Ross brought it back to Milk and Honey. Ever since, the cocktail has become exceedingly popular and can be found in bars throughout America to this day.

When Ross first created this iconic cocktail, the recipe called for Campari instead of Aperol. However, he said that the Campari made the drink lack sweetness and was just a tad too bitter.

Suddenly, the lightbulb went off: what if he used Aperol instead of Campari? The result was astoundingly delicious, and it also gives the cocktail its striking rust-orange color.

How To Make It

This contemporary recipe uses some obscure ingredients, making this drink truly distinctive and turning it a beautiful, rust-orange color.

Tips

For those making this drink, original creator Sam Ross recommends using a higher-proof bourbon. Look for one that’s about 43% to 46% ABV range, as this will add some robust flavor and body to the drink.

Another pro tip? Don’t over-shake when creating this delicate cocktail. It should be smooth and cold, not diluted or watery. This cocktail is also super simple to make, as there are equal parts of each ingredient. Just pour, shake, and serve—it doesn’t get much easier than that.

Traditionally, this drink doesn’t have a lemon wheel/wedge garnish, even though the recipe calls for fresh-squeezed lemon juice. For a nifty garnish, all you need is a pad of sticky notes.

Take one, cut off the adhesive strip, and fold it into a small paper airplane. Grab a cocktail toothpick, stick it through the tiny airplane, garnish, and enjoy!

Variations

With only four ingredients, it’s easy to riff on the Paper Plane cocktail. Here are some changes you can try!

• Substiture Aperol for Campari if you like a more bitter flavored drink.
• Substitute the bourbon for rum to make a Paper Kamikaze
• Try a Naked and Famous cocktail – a similar drink that uses mezcal instead of bourbon and yellow Chartreuse instead of Amaro nonino.

FAQ