The Paper Plane Cocktail: Fly to Cocktail Glory
Soar like Paper
When it comes to modern classics cocktails, the Paper Plane soars above the rest—get it? Created by Sam Ross, the brilliant mind behind the Penicillin, this drink has earned its wings as a high flying staple (OK, we’ll stop the puns—maybe). With a delicious mix of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice, this drink will surprise you more than walking into an airport and finding no security line. The drink is a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and sour. And just like flying first-class, once you’ve tried it, there’s no going back.
Recipe: What’s in a Paper Plane?
The Paper Plane Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ oz bourbon
- ¾ oz Aperol
- ¾ oz Amaro Nonino
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until the mix is cold and well combined.
- Strain into a coupe glass.
- Take a sip, lean back, and let this drink take you on a smooth flight to nowhere.
Notes
Nutrition
The Backstory: A Cocktail Takes Flight
The Paper Plane landed in 2007, right in the middle of the cocktail renaissance, and was inspired by both a song and a little bit of experimentation. You see, Sam Ross named the drink after the song “Paper Planes” by M.I.A., which he was listening to heavily at the time—and yes, almost 20 years later, the lyrics will still get stuck in your head.
“I fly like paper, get high like planes
If you catch me at the border, I got visas in my name“
While the name comes from the song, the drink itself was born from Ross tinkering with flavors at the legendary Milk & Honey. A friend working at The Violet Hour in Chicago asked him to help create a new cocktail. At the time, Ross had just been introduced to Amaro Nonino, and he quickly fell in love with the Italian digestif. He began experimenting with the liqueur, and the result was this knockout combination of bourbon, Aperol (another Italian digestif), Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice.
Like all great cocktails, it was equal parts refreshing, flavorful, and simple. As Ross describes it, the cocktail nailed the trinity of sweet, sour, and bitter. Before long, the Paper Plane took off and began appearing on cocktail menus around the world.
What is Amaro Nonino?
Amaro is an Italian herbal liqueur, traditionally consumed by your Italian uncle after eating too much pasta—”it helps you digestif!” The word “amaro” actually means “bitter” in Italian, which hints at the dominant flavor profile. It’s typically made by infusing alcohol with a blend of herbs, roots, spices, flowers, citrus peels, and sometimes sugar. Each brand of amaro has its own unique recipe, often passed down through generations, leading to a wide variety of flavors and intensities.
Amaro Nonino is one such of those brands. It’s considered one of Italy’s finer amaros, a herbal liqueur that’s smooth, complex, and perfect for those who like their drinks with a bit of depth. Made by the Nonino family in the Friuli region, this amaro is crafted from a blend that includes wild ingredients like gentian root, saffron, bitter orange, and rhubarb, among others. What sets Amaro Nonino apart is its balanced flavor, which is relatively sweet with herbal and orange notes. It has a slightly bitter finish but is considered mild compared to other, more bitter amaros.
While Amaro Nonino is traditionally sipped neat as a digestif, or on the rocks, it plays a starring role in the Paper Plane cocktail, where its bittersweet flavor complements the bourbon and lemon juice. At 35% ABV, it’s got as much kick as jet fuel, but its smooth complexity keeps bartenders coming back for more.
The Paper Plane’s Rise to Fame
The Paper Plane has cemented its place as a modern classic, right alongside other Milk & Honey creations the Penicillin and the Gold Rush. It’s the trifecta of modern cocktails—each one unique, but all with a perfect balance of flavors. If you don’t know, Milk & Honey was one of the first speakeasies, which was groundbreaking when it was created by Sasha Petraske in 1999. Legendary bartenders like Sam Ross and T.J. Siegal created some of the best cocktails in the world that went on to become classics. Sadly, Milk & Honey closed during the pandemic. Thankfully, the spiritual home of the bar continues at Attaboy, owned and operated by Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy (another Milk & Honey alum).
Ever try one of Milk & Honey’s creations? If you haven’t you may want to…
Paper Plane: A Gold Rush Cousin?
If you’ve been paying attention to our cocktail explorations, you’ll know the Gold Rush (created by Milk & Honey alum, T.J. Siegal) is another simple, elegant drink that’s taken the cocktail world by storm. So how does the Paper Plane stack up against its sibling, the Gold Rush?
While the Gold Rush keeps it sweet with honey syrup and bourbon, the Paper Plane veers into more adventurous territory with its blend of bitter and herbal flavors. If the Gold Rush is your go-to for something sweet and smooth, the Paper Plane is your ticket to a more complex, slightly edgier drinking experience. It’s got that Ross signature of simplicity and perfection, but with a twist.
Paper Plane vs. Penicillin: Another Ross Classics
While the Paper Plane goes for a lighter, more citrusy approach, the Penicillin (also from the mind of Sam Ross) takes you on a bolder, smokier journey. The Penicillin’s blend of Scotch, lemon, honey-ginger syrup, and Islay float makes it the perfect choice for those who like their cocktails with a bit of bite. But the Paper Plane? It’s for those times when you want something that feels like a smooth landing after a wild flight.
Both drinks are must-tries for any cocktail aficionado, but here’s the real kicker: they’re both Whiskey Sours at their core. That’s right—whether you’re sipping on a Paper Plane or a Penicillin, you’re enjoying a riff on a timeless classic. It’s just that one takes you up in the clouds, while the other keeps you grounded with a bit of smoke and fire.
A Signature at Attaboy and Beyond
The Paper Plane became more than just a passing trend, cementing its place as a modern classic on cocktail menus around the globe. But its true home? Attaboy—the New York bar co-owned by Sam Ross and Michael McIlroy, and the spiritual successor to Milk & Honey. At Attaboy, the Paper Plane has become a signature, often recommended as a perfect introduction to those unfamiliar with the world of amaros and bitter liqueurs. Despite its relatively young age as far as cocktails go, it has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with century-old classics like the Old-Fashioned and the Negroni.
Paper Plane Variations: Taking It Higher
While the original Paper Plane is a balanced masterpiece, bartenders and home mixologists alike have experimented with their own variations. One popular twist is swapping out bourbon for rye whiskey, giving the drink a spicier, bolder profile. Another popular modification is using different types of amaro, such as Averna or Fernet Branca, to create a more intense, bitter edge. No amaro nearby? Try the more bitter and accessible substitute, Cynar, which is made from artichokes, which we never knew. It can give your cocktail a more robust and herbal twist, though it’s not as sweet as the Nonino.
Why You Need to Try the Paper Plane
So, why does the Paper Plane deserve a spot in your cocktail rotation? Simple—it’s one of those classically balanced drinks that impresses with every sip, not to mention the drink stems from the legendary Milk & Honey Bar. Regardless, whether you’re new to the world of amaro or a seasoned bourbon lover, the Paper Plane offers something new and exciting. Plus, it’s one of those rare cocktails that’s both approachable and complex. You don’t need 30 ingredients and your grandmother’s secret recipe. All things beautiful are simple, and the Paper Plane is no exception.
Tried the Paper Plane, Gold Rush, or Penicillin? Which one’s your favorite? Share your thoughts below, and don’t forget to follow us @BarWarriors!
