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Paper Plane
The Modern Equal-Parts · Modern Classic · Shaken · Bourbon
A modern classic built on four equal parts: bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and fresh lemon. Bright, bittersweet, citrusy and herbal.
Glass: Chilled coupe
Garnish: Usually none; a lemon twist is a common variation
Method: Shaken · Family: Equal Parts · Calories: about 170
Ingredients
- ¾ oz (22.5 ml) bourbon
- ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Aperol
- ¾ oz (22.5 ml) Amaro Nonino
- ¾ oz (22.5 ml) fresh lemon juice
How to make a Paper Plane
- Add all four ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe.
Tools: Shaker, Jigger, Hawthorne strainer, Fine strainer.
What it tastes like
Bourbon brings structure and warmth (vanilla, oak, caramel). Aperol adds bittersweet orange, Amaro Nonino brings herbal depth and baking spice, and lemon gives brightness and lift.
History
Sam Ross created the Paper Plane in 2007 for The Violet Hour in Chicago. It went on to help define the modern-classic era at Milk & Honey in New York.
It’s named after M.I.A.’s song “Paper Planes.” The earliest version used Campari; Aperol became the standard spec. It’s a modern riff on the equal-parts logic of the Last Word.
Variations
- Last Word: The equal-parts pre-Prohibition classic the Paper Plane borrows its structure from: gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino and lime.
- Original Paper Plane: Use Campari in place of Aperol for Sam Ross’s first, more bitter version.
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