The cocktail notebook · Whiskey
Paper Plane
Lemon-bright, orange-bitter, herbal and softly whiskey-led; coral colour. A equal-parts bitter sour made by shake and strain.
- Base
- bourbon whiskey
- Method
- Shake & Strain
- Glass
- Chilled coupe / cocktail glass
- Yield
- One drink
Recipe reference: IBA reference recipe.
Paper Plane recipe
1 serving · IBA reference recipeMillilitres control this recipe. US fluid ounces are rounded to the nearest quarter ounce for convenience and are not a different recipe ratio. Dashes, spoons, leaves and other non-liquid measures are listed as written.
| Measure | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 30 ml≈ 1 US fl oz | bourbon whiskey |
| 30 ml≈ 1 US fl oz | Amaro Nonino |
| 30 ml≈ 1 US fl oz | Aperol |
| 30 ml≈ 1 US fl oz | fresh lemon juice |
Ice: Cubed ice for shaking only. Garnish: None.
Learning bar service? Continue with the Paper Plane in module 2 of the free course →
How to make it
- Chill the glass and measure all four ingredients into the shaker.
- Add cubed ice and seal.
- Shake until cold, then strain into the glass.
- Serve without garnish or ice.
Why it works: Equal measures are easy to reproduce; balance depends on the specific bittersweet liqueurs and fresh citrus.
Common mistakes, useful fixes
Substitution changes balance
do not use an arbitrary amaro.
Too much bitterness
check Aperol versus Campari.
Wrong ratio
measure four equal portions.
Serving the guest
What to tell the guest
It is an equal-parts bourbon, lemon and bittersweet-liqueur cocktail.
Dietary and product checks
Check liqueur labels and cross-contact controls; no egg or dairy included in this specification.
Variations
- Another amaro creates a house riff requiring testing.
- A different base spirit is a separate adaptation, not the reference.
Where does the Paper Plane come from?
Origin: United States; Sam Ross, late 2000s. (Creator says 2007 in interview; commonly repeated 2008 date not treated as settled)
The Paper Plane is one of Sam Ross’s modern classics. In his Radio Imbibe interview he dates it to 2007, while many other accounts repeat 2008; this course therefore uses “late 2000s” rather than hiding the discrepancy. Its four equal measures provide a memorable modern sour structure. Bourbon supplies the spirit base, Aperol gives orange bitterness, Amaro Nonino adds herbal sweetness and lemon brings acidity. The equality is a recipe choice, not permission to replace any amaro with another bottle. Learn the original component identities before designing a clearly labelled variation.
Paper Plane questions
Which amaro is specified?
Amaro Nonino.
What is the ratio?
1:1:1:1.
From a recipe to a repeatable skill
Learn the method behind the order.
Paper Plane is a required study in Advanced Cocktails & Refined Bar Service, module 2: Agave and equal-parts comparisons. Teach equal-parts measuring and distinguish bitter modifiers.
The course is free. An optional paid certificate tests knowledge in an online exam; it is not an observed practical assessment or an accredited bartending qualification.