Because of its wonderful balance of sour, herbal, and bitter notes, it's very easy to like the paper plane cocktail. Its herbal depth is kept bright and refreshing with the addition of fresh lime juice. The paper plane is one of my go-to cocktails to order.
I was just on a plane the other day, flying back home from a visit to Turks and Caicos. It was sooo hard to board and leave those white sand beaches behind. But I came back with so many wonderful new memories that my heart will stay warm, even when I'm not anymore. Making this paper plane cocktail has me wondering where the next airplane will bring me.
History of the cocktail
The Paper Plane was created in 2007, New York, by Sam Ross. This Australian bartender, known for his creation of The Penicillin cocktail, was a long time bartender at Milk & Honey. However, he created the Paper Plane for The Violet Hour bar in Chicago. A new take on the pre-Prohibition drink, The Last Word, he named the drink after the song of the same name by British rapper M.I.A..
(To see an amazing cocktail from Milk & Honey, London, check out the East 8 Hold Up. It's seriously delicious.)
How to make a Paper Plane Cocktail
Making this cocktail is super easy, and easy to remember too. Use ¾ shot of each of the ingredients: bourbon whiskey, amaro (Nonino or Montenegro), Aperol, and fresh lime juice.
Simply measure each of the ingredients into your cocktail shaker. Shake it with ice vigorously for about twenty seconds. Pour through a fine strainer into a chilled glass, in order to remove any large pieces of ice. Serve and enjoy immediately. The traditional glass used for the paper plane cocktail is a coupe glass - a stemmed glass, shallow and broad-bowled.
Serve in this:
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Originally the coupe glass was intended for champagne, but it's perfect for serving a drink "up" or "straight up" (shaken or stirred with ice, then strained into a stemmed glass without ice).
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Paper Plane Cocktail
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delicious and refreshing cocktail is a modern variation of the pre-Prohibition drink, The Last Word. It has a wonderful balance of sour, herbal, and bitter notes.
Ingredients
¾ oz (22.5 ml) bourbon whiskey
¾ oz (22.5 ml) Aperol
¾ oz (22.5 ml) amaro (Nonino or Montenegro)
¾ oz (22.5 ml) fresh lime juice
Instructions
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, vigorously for about 20 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass with no ice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 6
- Sugar: 7.9 g
- Sodium: 0.8 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.4 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: paper plane cocktail
Anna says
Made this for a friend and me the other night.
We liked it.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Kristen says
Thanks. It turned out good.
Asha says
Awesome, thank you 🙂
Rita says
Love this cocktail and the plane idea. Found some party favour planes for kid's parties that were just the right size
to decorate.
Asha says
Thanks, that's great! Sounds way faster than the origami I was doing haha
Barbara says
Great cocktail
Asha says
Thank you
Lisa says
Gave this a try - thumbs up.
Asha says
Thank you
Robyn says
Good tasting. Interesting story. Thanks.
Asha says
Thanks 🙂
Vivian says
This is definitely a pick-me-up kind of drink. I really enjoy it and will make again for sure.
Asha says
Thank you. I love this cocktail
Parker says
Nice and 'crisp'. Thanks.
Asha says
Thank you 🙂
Jack says
Excellent!
Great tasting cocktail and so easy to make!
Asha says
Thanks! I love this cocktail too
Evelyn says
Luv the plane. Cocktail tasted great too.
Asha says
Thanks! 🙂
Lena says
My friend and I really enjoyed this drink. Definitely will be making often.
Asha says
Thank you, I love it too 🙂