Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe

Smooth, bitter, and just the right amount of bold—the Paper Plane cocktail is a modern classic that’s earned its place on the menus of top cocktail bars worldwide. Created in 2007, this equal-parts cocktail is a crowd-pleaser, combining balance, flavour, and simplicity in a way that’s hard to resist.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make a Paper Plane cocktail at home—plus where to find the right ingredients and tools in Indonesia.

What Is a Paper Plane Cocktail?

The Paper Plane was invented by bartender Sam Ross (also known for the Penicillin cocktail) and was originally created for the opening menu of The Violet Hour in Chicago. Inspired by the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes,” this cocktail blends four ingredients in equal parts to create a drink that’s bright, bitter, slightly sour, and incredibly smooth.

It’s a riff on the Last Word and the classic whiskey sour, with Italian amaro giving it a distinctive twist.

Paper Plane Cocktail Ingredients

This cocktail uses just four ingredients—each in equal measure:

• ¾ oz bourbon – Choose something smooth with a slightly sweet finish
  • Recommendations:
    • Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whisky 750ml
    • Bulleit Bourbon Whiskey 700ml
    • Label 5 Bourbon Barrel 700ml
• ¾ oz Aperol – Brings a hint of bitterness and a bright orange hue
• ¾ oz Amaro Nonino (or Amaro Montenegro will do just fine) – Adds depth, herbal complexity, and a touch of sweetness
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice – Provides freshness and balances the richness

Optional garnish: Lemon twist

How to Make a Paper Plane Cocktail

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Add bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Montenegro, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker
2. Fill with ice and shake well for 10–15 seconds until chilled
3. Strain into a chilled coupe
4. Garnish with a lemon twist if desired

This cocktail is best enjoyed fresh and chilled. No need to age or stir—it’s all about that sharp, shaken balance.

What Does It Taste Like?

The Paper Plane delivers a beautiful balance of sweet, sour, bitter, and herbal. The bourbon brings body, Aperol gives it citrusy brightness, Amaro Nonino adds layers of spice and honeyed notes, while the lemon juice sharpens it all up. It’s complex yet approachable—a great cocktail for whiskey drinkers and bitter aperitivo lovers alike.

Tips for the Best Paper Plane

• Use fresh lemon juice – Bottled juice dulls the cocktail’s brightness
• Don’t skip Amaro Nonino – It’s essential to the flavour, though Montenegro is a great substitute
• Chill your glassware – This cocktail is best served icy cold in a coupe
• Try with different bourbons – A wheated bourbon will give a softer profile; a high-rye bourbon will bring spice

Find the Ingredients at Red & White

Ready to shake up your own Paper Plane at home? Find everything you need—from quality bourbon to Aperol and Amaro Montenegro—at your nearest Red & White store.

Final Sip

The Paper Plane is proof that great cocktails don’t need complicated steps—just great ingredients and perfect balance.

One shake, one sip—you’ll be flying high.