Paper Plane recipe
Equal parts everything — the modern cocktail that proves simplicity wins.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 0.75 oz Bourbon (Buffalo Trace or similar)
- 0.75 oz Aperol
- 0.75 oz Amaro Nonino
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
How to make a Paper Plane
- Add all four ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake for 10-12 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe.
- No garnish needed — the drink speaks for itself.
Garnish
None (or a lemon twist).
Pro tip
The equal-parts format makes this incredibly easy to remember and scale. It's the perfect 'bartender's handshake' — order one at a new bar and you'll know immediately if the bartender knows their craft.
History of the Paper Plane
Created by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey in New York in 2007, named after the M.I.A. song. It's become one of the most important cocktails of the 21st century — proof that new classics can still be invented. The equal-parts format is a nod to the Last Word cocktail.
Flavour profile
Bitter, Citrus, Herbal, Complex
Variations
- Final Approach — Replace bourbon with rye for more spice
- Paper Tiger — Replace Aperol with Campari for more bitterness
Practise making the Paper Plane in the free Virtual Bar game.