Okay, let’s talk about the Paper Plane! If you haven’t had one, you are seriously missing out. This cocktail is just one of those drinks that hits all the right notes – it’s a little bit tart, a little sweet, a little bitter, and somehow perfectly balanced. It popped up in the cocktail world back in 2008, created by Sam Ross (yep, the guy behind the Penicillin!). The name? It’s a shout-out to the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes.” I remember the first time I tried one at a fancy bar in the city, and honestly, my mind was blown. I thought, “Okay, I NEED to figure this out at home.” And guess what? It’s surprisingly simple! That’s why I’m so excited to share my go-to Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide with you. It’s proof that you don’t need to be a pro bartender to make something truly spectacular.

Why You’ll Love This Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Honestly, this Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide is going to become your new best friend when you want something special without a fuss. It’s just so darn easy and consistently delicious! Here’s why I keep coming back to it:

Perfectly Balanced: It’s not too sweet, not too sour, and the bitter notes from the Aperol and Amaro Nonino just dance with the bourbon and lemon. It’s a symphony in a glass, truly.
Beginner Friendly: Seriously, if you can measure and shake, you can make this. No fancy techniques needed!
Super Refreshing: It’s bright and zesty, making it ideal for sipping any time of year, but especially when you need a little pick-me-up.
Ingredients You Can Find: While Amaro Nonino might feel a *little* niche, it’s becoming way more common, and the rest are bar cart staples. Easy peasy!

Essential Ingredients for Your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Alright, let’s get down to the good stuff – what you actually NEED to make this magic happen. The beauty of the Paper Plane is that it uses equal parts of four key ingredients. This makes remembering it super easy, which is always a win in my book! You’ll need:

¾ ounce Bourbon
¾ ounce Aperol
¾ ounce Amaro Nonino
¾ ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

See? Simple! But choosing the right ones makes a difference. Each one plays a crucial role in that perfect balance we talked about. Think of them like the four members of a band, each bringing their own unique sound.

Bourbon Selection for a Great Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

For your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide, you don’t need to break the bank on a super rare bourbon. Something mid-range with a nice balance of sweetness and oak works perfectly. Avoid anything too high proof or overly smoky, as it can overpower the other delicate flavors. A good standard bourbon is your friend here!

Understanding Aperol in Your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Oh, Aperol! That bright orange Italian aperitif. It brings a lovely bittersweet, slightly citrusy note to the Paper Plane. It’s less bitter than Campari, which is why it works so well in this particular mix. It adds a layer of complexity and that beautiful color!

Amaro Nonino and the Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

This is the one that might be new to you, but trust me, it’s worth finding! Amaro Nonino is an Italian herbal liqueur that’s much lighter and more subtly sweet than some other amaros. It has hints of caramel, orange, and herbs. In the Paper Plane, it adds a wonderful depth and a touch of sophisticated bitterness that rounds everything out.

Fresh Lemon Juice for the Perfect Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Okay, this is non-negotiable! Please, please, PLEASE use fresh lemon juice. The stuff in the bottle just doesn’t cut it. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is bright, acidic, and essential for balancing the sweetness and the liqueurs. It makes a world of difference in your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide!

Your Step-by-Step Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Alright, you’ve got your ingredients ready? Excellent! Now comes the fun part – putting it all together. This Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide is designed to be super simple, so just follow these steps and you’ll have a delicious drink in no time. Seriously, it’s only three steps! How easy is that?

Gather your gear and ingredients: Grab your cocktail shaker, a jigger (or whatever you use for measuring), your coupe glass, and, of course, all those lovely liquids you just learned about.
Measure and pour: Carefully measure out ¾ ounce of *each* ingredient – the bourbon, the Aperol, the Amaro Nonino, and the fresh lemon juice. Pour them all right into your cocktail shaker. Easy peasy!
Add ice and shake, shake, shake!: Fill your shaker about two-thirds full with good quality ice. Seal it up tight (make sure the lid is on!), and then give it a really vigorous shake. You want it to get super cold. Keep shaking until the outside of the shaker feels icy and maybe even a little frosty.
Strain and serve: Now, pop open that shaker and strain the beautiful, chilled liquid into your waiting coupe glass. Admire that gorgeous color! And that’s it! You’ve just made a Paper Plane.

See? I told you it was quick! Now, let’s dig a tiny bit deeper into the shaking and straining bits, just to make sure you get it perfect.

Shaking Your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Shaking isn’t just for show! For your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide, shaking serves two main purposes: chilling the drink down properly and diluting it slightly with melted ice. A good, hard shake for about 15-20 seconds will get it to the right temperature and texture. You’ll feel the cold through the metal shaker, that’s how you know you’re doing it right!

Straining for a Smooth Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Once you’ve shaken your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide to icy perfection, it’s time to strain it. You’ll want to use a fine-mesh strainer along with the one built into your shaker (this is called a “double strain”). This catches any tiny ice chips or bits of citrus pulp, giving you that lovely, smooth texture in your coupe glass. Nobody wants floaties in their fancy cocktail!

Tips for Success with Your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Okay, so you’ve got the basic Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide down, but here are a few little things I’ve learned that can take it from good to absolutely amazing. These are my personal cheats for making sure it’s perfect every single time:

Ice Matters: Use good, solid ice cubes for shaking. Crushed ice melts too fast and over-dilutes your drink. Big, chunky cubes are your friend here!
Taste and Adjust: Everyone’s palate is a little different, right? Once you’ve made it the first time, take a sip. Is it a touch too tart? Add a tiny splash more bourbon or Amaro Nonino next time. Too sweet? A hair more lemon juice. Don’t be afraid to tweak those proportions slightly to find your perfect balance!
Chill Your Glass: A cold glass keeps your cocktail colder for longer. You can leave your coupe glass in the freezer for a bit before you start, or just fill it with ice water while you mix your drink, then dump the water out before straining.
Fresh is Best (Again!): I know I said it, but seriously, that fresh lemon juice is the game-changer. Don’t skip this step!

Follow these little tips, and your Paper Plane will be soaring!

Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide Variations

While the classic Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide is pretty perfect as is, sometimes it’s fun to play around, right? A little tweak here and there can give you a whole new experience. These variations keep the spirit of the original but add a fun twist:

Try a Different Bourbon: Switching from a standard bourbon to a rye whiskey can add a spicier kick. Or, a wheated bourbon might make it feel a little softer and sweeter.
Experiment with Amaro: If you can’t find Amaro Nonino, or just want to try something else, you could experiment with other lighter, less bitter amaros. Just know the flavor profile will change!
Add a Dash of Bitters: A single dash of orange bitters can really brighten up the citrus notes and add another layer of complexity.
Make it a “Paper Airplane”: Okay, this isn’t a standard variation, but some folks play with the name! You could add a tiny paper plane garnish to the side of the glass just for fun.

Don’t be afraid to get a little creative once you’ve mastered the original!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide

Okay, I get a lot of questions about the Paper Plane, especially from folks who are just starting out with homemade cocktails. Here are some of the most common ones I hear about this Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide:

Q: Can I substitute the Amaro Nonino?

A: Amaro Nonino is pretty key to the classic Paper Plane flavor profile because it’s on the lighter, sweeter side for an amaro. While you *can* try substituting with another amaro, the taste will definitely change. If you absolutely have to, look for something less intensely bitter than, say, Campari. But for the true Paper Plane experience, try to find the Nonino!

Q: Is the Paper Plane a sweet or bitter cocktail?

A: That’s the beauty of it! The Paper Plane is wonderfully balanced. The lemon juice and bourbon bring tartness and sweetness, while the Aperol and Amaro Nonino add those lovely bittersweet and herbal notes. It hits all the points, which is why it’s such a popular bourbon cocktail.

Q: How do I make the Paper Plane less tart?

A: If you find your Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide a bit too tart, you can slightly reduce the amount of fresh lemon juice or slightly increase the amount of bourbon or Amaro Nonino. Remember that ¾ ounce ratio is a starting point; feel free to tweak it by just a tiny splash here or there until it’s perfect for *you*. Start with small adjustments!

Q: Where does the name “Paper Plane” come from?

A: The cocktail is named after the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes,” which was popular around the time the drink was created by Sam Ross in 2008. It’s a fun little nod!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a quick note – the nutritional information for cocktails can vary depending on the exact brands of alcohol you use, but here’s a general idea of what you’re looking at for one serving of this Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide. Think of it as an estimate!

Calories: Around 200
Sugar: About 15g
Sodium: Roughly 5mg
Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: Around 15g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

It’s definitely a treat, not a health food, but knowing is half the battle, right?! Enjoy it responsibly!

Enjoying Your Paper Plane Cocktail

So there you have it – your very own Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe – Quick Guide! I really hope you give this one a try. It’s such a fantastic drink, and making it at home is incredibly rewarding. Pour yourself one, put your feet up, and just savor that amazing flavor. If you make it, please pop back here and leave a comment! I’d love to hear how yours turned out or any little tweaks you made. Cheers!

Quick Paper Plane Recipe: 4 Shots of Bliss

Author: cocktailmixguide.com
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and well-balanced cocktail with notes of bourbon, lemon, and amaro.

Ingredients

Scale

¾ ounce bourbon
¾ ounce Aperol
¾ ounce Amaro Nonino
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
Shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass.

Notes

Use fresh lemon juice for best results.
Adjust the proportions slightly to suit your taste.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Cocktail
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 200
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Paper Plane cocktail, bourbon cocktail, Aperol cocktail, Amaro Nonino cocktail, classic cocktail