How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail: A Strong and Bright Sip
What is a Paper Plane Cocktail?
How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail feels exciting because this modern drink mixes bright citrus with warm bourbon in a smooth and balanced way. It follows the style of a modern cocktail creation and uses the smart structure of an equal-parts cocktail, so anyone can prepare it with confidence. Inspired by famous bartenders and served in popular cocktail bars, this refreshing classic blends sweet, sour and herbal notes into one perfect sip. The mix of bourbon, Aperol and a gentle bittersweet amaro flavor creates a lively drink that even new whiskey lovers enjoy. If you want a fun, bold and simple drink, this guide on How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail will help you make it perfectly at home.
The How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail drink has become a favorite in many popular cocktail bars across the USA because it blends a smooth bourbon base with bright citrus and a gentle, bittersweet amaro lift. This mix creates a bold yet friendly drink that feels like a whiskey beginner drink, making it easy for new drinkers to enjoy. The recipe follows the equal-parts cocktail format, which makes it simple to remember and easy to prepare at home.
This drink belongs to the family of modern American cocktails and sits beside other modern cocktail creation signatures served in famous bars like Attaboy and The Violet Hour. Its design takes inspiration from the Last Word cocktail variation, but it changes the structure by swapping gin for bourbon and using two types of bittersweet liqueurs. This shift produces a smooth yet sharp taste that appeals to anyone who loves a lemon juice cocktail but wants a deeper profile.
Paper Plane Cocktail Ingredients
To make a Paper Plane Cocktail you need to understand how each ingredient works together. The bourbon is what gives the drink its warmth. The Aperol is what adds an citrusy taste. Then there is the Amaro Nonino liqueur, which gives the drink a flavor with a hint of soft botanicals and alpine herbs. When you add lemon to the mix it gives the drink a crisp and sour finish.
The Paper Plane Cocktail has a flavor because all the ingredients work well together they kind of push and pull on each other. The bourbon and the Amaro Nonino liqueur work with the Aperol and the fresh lemon to create a nice taste. The Paper Plane Cocktail is a drink where every ingredient has a role the bourbon provides warmth the Aperol adds citrus the Amaro Nonino liqueur adds bittersweet flavor and the fresh lemon adds sourness.
Here is a quick reference table:
| Ingredient | Role in Flavor | Notes |
| Bourbon | Main body | Works best with higher-proof bourbon |
| Aperol | Bright citrus bitters | Core of any Aperol-based drink |
| Amaro Nonino | Sweet herbal depth | A grappa-based liqueur with amaro notes orange peel |
| Lemon Juice | Fresh acidity | Should be freshly squeezed lemon juice |
Every element contributes to a clear cocktail balance of flavors, so accuracy matters when mixing.
How to Make a Paper Plane Cocktail
To make a Paper Plane Cocktail you need to start with the amount of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon. This is easy to remember. It also helps the flavors work together.
You should shake the mix until it is cold, but not too much. If you shake it much the drink will get watered down and you will not be able to taste the herbs and citrus as much.
People who make drinks for a living, like Sam Ross say you should mix the drink quickly. Sam Ross made this drink in 2008. Some people call it the Sam Ross cocktail. He says you should be careful not to shake it much. The drink should be cold. Not have ice water in it.
Pour the Paper Plane Cocktail into a glass through a fine strainer and you will see that the bourbon and citrus are well balanced. The bourbon will give you a feeling and the citrus will be crisp.
Paper Plane Cocktail Taste Profile
When you take a sip of the How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail you can taste a lot of flavors. The drink has sour notes and it also has a herbal taste. The bourbon in the drink gives you a burn in your mouth. The Aperol makes the citrus flavor stand out.
The Amaro Nonino adds a lot of depth to the flavor of the drink. It has herbs and a sweet spice flavor that you can taste at the end. The drink finishes clean and sharp. The lemon juice makes everything taste fresh. It adds a nice snap to the drink.
The How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail is a drink for people who like bourbon and want something to drink every day. It is an aromatic drink. People who like the flavors in an Aperol Spritz usually love the How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail away. The flavors in the drink work well together. This makes the drink feel polished and comforting but exciting, at the same time. The How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail is a choice because it has a lot of flavor and it is fun to drink.
Paper Plane Cocktail Variations
The classic Paper Plane Cocktail recipe has a specific way of being made but some people who make drinks like to try new things. They might use something instead of Aperol like a citrus bitters or they might add a little more bourbon to make it taste darker and richer. Some bars even use yuzu or blood orange of lemon when they make their seasonal menus, which creates a whole new set of flavors.
People who like to try new drinks often look at the history of the Paper Plane Cocktail, which started at The Violet Hour and became really popular at Milk & Honey. They use the recipe, as a starting point and then make their own changes. The main idea is to keep the balance of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice the same so it still tastes like a Paper Plane Cocktail. They want to make sure that all these ingredients work well together in parts like bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice to make a great Paper Plane Cocktail.
Paper Plane Cocktail Nutrition
Most servings of the How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail average moderate calories for a cocktail of this strength. Because all ingredients are spirits or fresh lemon, the drink contains no added sugars beyond what’s naturally present in the liqueurs. The careful structure keeps it smooth without making it overly heavy.
Here is a simple nutritional reference:
| Nutritional Aspect | Approximate Value |
| Calories | 180–210 |
| ABV | Medium strength |
| Carbs | Low |
| Sugar | Minimal |
Many appreciate these numbers because the drink remains enjoyable without feeling overwhelming.
Paper Plane Cocktail History
The Paper Plane cocktail history begins in 2008 at The Violet Hour, where bartender Sam Ross created the drink. He drew inspiration from the M.I.A. Paper Plane song, which played regularly during that time. Before this, he worked in bars like Diamond Reef and the legendary Attaboy.
After guests loved the drink, Ross took it to Milk & Honey NYC where the cocktail impact and popularity exploded. The drink traveled from one Chicago cocktail bar to New York and later across the entire USA. Today, it’s a staple on menus nationwide and remains a symbol of the new American cocktail era.
Tools and Glassware Needed
To prepare the How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail, all you need is a metal shaker, a fine strainer, and a chilled coupe glass. Metal shakers chill faster than glass and help protect flavor strength. A coupe glass supports the aroma and helps keep the drink colder for longer.
Some people garnish with a small folded cocktail garnish paper plane, which adds charm and acts as a playful signature. This small detail celebrates the drink’s fun personality and keeps its backstory alive.
More Classic Cocktails to Try
If you like the How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail you will probably like drinks that are balanced and have a lot of citrus flavor. The Whiskey Sour, the Boulevardier and the original Last Word are all drinks that have a similar makeup and are pretty bright. The How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail and these drinks go well with bourbon cocktail recipes that a lot of people in America like.
Some people like to try drinks by looking at spritz-style drinks or other herbal amaro cocktails. The How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail and these drinks have a kind of energy that is bold but also refreshing. They are great to have with a meal. When you are, with friends.
Free Popular Recipe Guide
Readers who enjoy the How to Make Paper Plane Cocktail often request more recipes. A simple guide can include popular whiskey drinks, citrus cocktails, and herbal liqueur mixes that build on similar principles. These collections help build confidence and inspire people to explore cocktail-making at home.
A recipe guide also has some helpful tips, like how to pick fresh fruit and measure things correctly. It even tells you how to store your spirits. Following these habits makes a big difference and it makes every drink you make at home feel like it was made by a professional bartender at a real bar. This way every homemade drink feels like a drink you would get at a bar.