Trending · 2025–2026 #13 most trending
Paper Plane
shaken · The Speakeasy Selection
Paper Plane
"The Paper Plane is what happens when a bartender's curiosity becomes a formula."
At a Glance
| Trend Rank | #13 · The Craft Cocktail World's Favorite Handshake |
| Vibe | Complex · Confident · Layered · For the Initiated |
| Strength | Strong (approx. 22–26% ABV) |
| Best For | Craft bars · Whiskey lovers · Late-night drinking · Showing off |
| Skill Level | Medium (requires quality ingredients) |
Flavor Profile
The Paper Plane is architecture. Every sip reveals something different: a flash of bourbon warmth, a herbal bitterness from Nonino, Aperol's bright orange tones, and lemon's cleansing tartness. No one element dominates. It's the most balanced cocktail you'll encounter.
Ingredients
Classic Paper Plane (1 serving) — The Perfect Fourths
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | 22 ml / 0.75 oz | Buffalo Trace or Bulleit; avoid very heavy, high-proof bourbons |
| Aperol | 22 ml / 0.75 oz | The bitter citrus anchor |
| Amaro Nonino | 22 ml / 0.75 oz | This specific amaro is essential to the recipe's character |
| Fresh lemon juice | 22 ml / 0.75 oz | Always fresh |
The golden rule: ¾ oz of each — four equal parts, every time.
Instructions
- Combine all four ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice generously.
- Shake hard for 12–15 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a small lemon wheel or lemon twist — or serve without garnish for the purist presentation.
- Serve immediately.
On the amaro: Amaro Nonino is significantly lighter and more delicate than most amaros — it's made from grappa with herbs and honey, producing a light amber, lightly bitter, floral spirit. Do not substitute with Averna, Montenegro, or other amaros — they will overwhelm the balance. If Nonino is unavailable, Aperol can be increased and a small amount of Chartreuse added, but this changes the drink.
Glassware & Presentation
Glass: Chilled coupe (preferred) or Nick & Nora glass Serve: Straight up — no ice Temperature: Ice cold Garnish: Small dehydrated lemon wheel, fresh lemon twist, or no garnish (purist)
The Story
The Paper Plane was created by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey in New York City in 2008, originally for a cocktail menu at Violet Hour in Chicago. Ross was inspired by the equal-parts philosophy — a simple, democratic formula where no ingredient dominates and balance is achieved through symmetry.
His choice of Amaro Nonino — a light, grappa-based Italian amaro — was inspired. It bridges bourbon's warmth with Aperol's bitterness and lemon's brightness in a way no other amaro quite replicates.
Named after the M.I.A. song of the same year, the Paper Plane became a modern classic — one of the most influential cocktail recipes of the 21st century. It's the drink that introduced an entire generation of bartenders to the potential of amaro in cocktails, and the drink that bartenders order when they're off-duty.
By 2025–2026, as amaro culture has exploded and the "equal parts" cocktail format has become a bar philosophy, the Paper Plane is experiencing its fullest mainstream moment — appearing on menus from dive bars to fine dining.
By the Numbers
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Year created | 2008 (Sam Ross, Milk & Honey, NYC) |
| Named a modern classic by | Difford's Guide, Imbibe, Death & Co |
| Amaro category growth (driven partly by this drink) | +180% since 2015 |
| TikTok hashtag views (#paperplane cocktail) | 95M+ |
| Average bar price (US, 2025) | $16–$24 |
Quick-Reference Card
PAPER PLANE (The Perfect Fourths)
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Bourbon 22 ml (¾ oz)
Aperol 22 ml (¾ oz)
Amaro Nonino 22 ml (¾ oz)
Fresh lemon 22 ml (¾ oz)
→ Combine in shaker with ice
→ Shake hard 12–15 sec
→ Double strain into chilled coupe
→ Garnish: lemon twist (or serve unadorned)
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Variations
| Variation | Twist |
|---|---|
| Broken Plane | Replace bourbon with gin for a lighter, more botanical version |
| Rye Paper Plane | Rye whiskey instead of bourbon — spicier, drier |
| Mezcal Paper Plane | Mezcal instead of bourbon — smoky and complex |
| Rum Paper Plane | Light rum for tropical brightness |
| Paper Boat | Replace Aperol with Campari — more intensely bitter |
Pairing Suggestions
- Food: Dark chocolate, aged cheeses, charcuterie, duck prosciutto, salumi
- Occasion: Serious cocktail bars, off-menu ordering at fine dining, whiskey enthusiasts
- Music vibe: M.I.A. (obviously), indie electro, sophisticated late-night sets
- #paperplane
- #bourbon
- #amaro
- #aperol
- #craftcocktail
- #equalpartz
- #bartendershandshake
- #modernclassic
- #amarononino
- #therapeuticcocktails
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Amaro Nonino is a grappa-based Italian amaro with citrus, wildflower, and honey notes — it's lighter and more refined than most amari. It's not cheap, but it's what makes the Paper Plane taste the way it does. The best substitute is Amaro Montenegro (sweeter, softer) or St-Germain at half quantity. Nonino is genuinely worth the investment.
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The equal-parts format was invented by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey, New York, in 2007 — a riff on the Last Word cocktail (also equal parts). The genius is that no spirit dominates; each element is equally present. It also makes it one of the easiest cocktails to memorise and scale.
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The bitterness comes from Aperol and Amaro Nonino together. Try reducing Aperol to 18 ml and increasing lemon juice to 25 ml — the extra citrus cuts through the bitterness. Also make sure you're shaking hard with plenty of ice for 15 seconds; proper dilution softens the bitter edges significantly.
From the Lab
Master the craft behind this drink
The fundamentals that make this drink work — explained in The Lab.