Whiskey · Modern Classic · Bittersweet
Paper Plane Recipe
Equal parts, four ingredients, no garnish — one of the most-copied modern cocktails of the last two decades.
- Prep Time
- 1.5 min
- Method
- Shaken
- Glass
- Coupe glass
- Strength
- Balanced
Every recipe on Sipped Right is tested for taste and balance before it's published.
Last updated September 20, 2026
About the Paper Plane
Created by bartender Sam Ross around 2008, reportedly named after the M.I.A. song popular at the time — a well-documented origin with a single, agreed-upon creator.
Ingredients
Servings
1
- Bourbon¾ oz
- Aperol¾ oz
- Amaro Nonino¾ oz
- Fresh lemon juice¾ oz
Method
- Measure and pour the bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add a scoop of ice to the shaker.
- Shake for 15 seconds.
- Double-strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe. No garnish.
Glass & Garnish
Coupe glass, chilled. No garnish.
Notes
Equal parts, easy to scale. No Amaro Nonino? Another approachable amaro substitutes, though flavour shifts. Pairs well with light appetizers.
Tools Used
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