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Both simple to make and delightful to drink, the signature orange-hued Paper Plane cocktail is a must-have for happy hour. Combining Aperol, bourbon, amaro nonino, and fresh lemon juice in equal measures, this bittersweet, boozy blend hits just the right balance of flavors. Garnish with a mini paper plane for a touch of whimsy!
New favorite beverage alert! I was recently introduced to the Paper Plane cocktail and ohemgee 🤩. I do believe we have a new front runner for my drink of choice!
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Why You'll Love It
It's simple, easy, and a swanky step above the standard kentucky whiskey mule that I tend to gravitate to when mixing a drink from my home bar 🤣.
The delicate flavor balance, the bittersweet taste, the deep orange color...it's just on another level. And even better, it's SO easy to make. Just shake up 4 ingredients in equal parts and voila! One paper plane cocktail ready to go.
The Secret Ingredient
Can you make substitutions when shaking up a paper plane cocktail? Sure. Limes instead of lemons, some people like campari instead of aperol for more bitter option...but one thing I would not change? The use of Amaro Nonino.
An Italian liqueur, Amaro Nonino has a very specific, bittersweet and somewhat spicy taste that is quite complex. Although there are other Amaro liqueurs out there, it's extremely hard to replicate the particular balanced flavor of the Nonino. Without it, the drink just isn't the same!
Tips and Tricks
For the perfect paper plane cocktail:
- Use fresh lemons, not concentrate! Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is almost always preferred in a cocktail anyway but in this case, it's a necessity. If you use concentrate, it'll throw off the delicate flavor balance and become WAY too tart. I speak from experience 😅.
- Bourbon whiskey, NOT Rye whiskey - Yes, they are different. Bourbon is sweeter, and necessary to attain the right flavor for a paper plane cocktail.
- Shake, shake, shake - shake in a cocktail shaker over ice until the shaker frosts over and then pour into a chilled glass if possible. Avoid serving with ice!
Frequently Asked Questions
While it may be tempting to substitute the Amaro Nonino with another amaro, I highly recommend sticking to the original ingredient. The Amaro Nonino brings a unique complexity and depth to the cocktail that sets it apart!
They can. Your cocktail will have slightly different flavor but is still absolutely delicious and quite similar in taste. Remember, the key is freshly squeezed juice, no concentrate!
You can but remember that Campari is a bit more bitter than Aperol, which would take this cocktail from bittersweet to just bitter...Not my jam but you can always give it a go!
Bulleit Bourbon 👍🏻, one of my go to's.
Paper Plane Cocktail
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Serves 1
Description
Both simple to make and delightful to drink, the signature orange-hued Paper Plane cocktail is a must-have for happy hour. Combining Aperol, bourbon, amaro nonino, and fresh lemon juice in equal measures, this bittersweet, boozy blend hits just the right balance of flavors. Garnish with a mini paper plane for a touch of whimsy!
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce Bourbon Whiskey (I used Bulleit Bourbon)
- ¾ ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce Amaro Nonino
- ¾ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice. Shake vigorously until the shaker frosts over.
- Pour contents into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with lemon peel or a mini paper plane!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaking
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