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Every once in a while, a cocktail comes along that feels like an instant classic—simple, striking, and impossible to forget. The Paper Plane is exactly that.
With just four equal parts and a color that practically glows in the glass, it’s modern mixology at its most effortless and elegant.
And believe it or not, it all started with a song.
Back in the early 2000s, bartender Sam Ross—a legend in the New York cocktail scene—was working at Little Branch when he created this now-iconic drink.
He named it after the song Paper Planes, which was on repeat in his bar at the time. Like the song, the cocktail took off fast and never really landed—it’s been showing up on cocktail menus and in bartender playbooks ever since.
At its core, the Paper Plane is about balance.
Equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice come together in perfect harmony. It’s bright, bitter, tangy, and just a little sweet. One sip and you’ll understand why it’s earned its place among the greats.
Let’s talk ingredients.
The bourbon lays down the base—warm, rich, and a little oaky. It provides that grounding sweetness and depth that gives the cocktail structure. Think of it as the steady hand in the equation.
Aperol, with its vibrant orange hue and subtle bitter-orange flavor, brings the brightness.
It’s what gives the Paper Plane its eye-catching color and adds a gentle, citrusy bitterness to keep things lively.
Then there’s the Amaro Nonino, the not-so-secret weapon. An Italian herbal liqueur, it adds a layer of complexity—floral, nutty, and just a bit earthy. It’s the ingredient that makes people stop mid-sip and say, “Wait—what is that?”
Finally, the lemon juice. Freshly squeezed, always. It sharpens the drink, keeping all those rich, bitter, and sweet flavors in check with a clean, zesty kick.
Step 1: Add ingredients to shaker with ice.
Step 2: Shake and strain into glass.
Whether you’re deep into bourbon cocktails or just exploring amaro for the first time, the Paper Plane is the kind of recipe you’ll want to return to again and again. Simple. Stylish. Perfectly in flight.
Post your creation on Instagram and tag #queenbeemixology or @queenbeemixology!
