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    Home » Recipes » Cocktails

    Paper Plane Cocktail

    Published: May 11, 2022 · Modified: May 13, 2022 by Aleka Shunk · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    The Paper Plane Cocktail is my top 3 favorite cocktail recipes so if you're a bourbon lover, this is for you! It's bright, refreshing and perfect for the warmer months! I especially love the paper airplane garnish that's typically added!

    If you love this drink, check out these other fabulous upscale cocktails.

    Paper plane cocktail with mini paper airplane on rim and lemon on table.

    The first time I had a paper plane cocktail was at a local restaurant. I never heard of it before but, BOY am I glad I tried it out!

    It was placed in front of me with the cutest mini paper airplane on the rim. 😍

    Then I tasted it and fell in love. It isn't too bourbon-y if you know what I mean. It's sweet but not overly sweet and slightly tart from the aperol and lemon. It's a bonus that it looks beautiful!

    If you love aperol drinks, you have to try my Gin Aperol Sour. It also has a pretty pink color and is perfect for the summer time!

    Contents hide
    1 Ingredients:
    2 🍸How To Make A Paper Plane Cocktail
    3 🤔 Where The Cocktail Originated
    4 🙋‍♂️ What Is Aperol?
    5 🙋‍♀️ What Is Amaro?
    6 👅 What Does A Paper Plane Taste Like?
    7 ✈️How To Fold A Paper Airplane "Garnish"
    8 🍋How To Make A Lemon Twist
    9 📃Substitutions
    9.1 🥂Equipment Needed:
    9.2 😍 If You Love This Cocktail, You Might Also Like…
    10 Paper Plane Cocktail
    10.1 Ingredients
    10.2 Instructions
    10.3 Recipe Notes

    Ingredients:

    • Aperol
    • Amaro
    • Bourbon
    • Lemon Juice

    🍸How To Make A Paper Plane Cocktail

    1. In a shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients.

    2. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass.

    3. Garnish with a lemon twist or paper airplane (optional).

    📃 NOTE: You can print exact quantities with detailed instructions below!

    🤔 Where The Cocktail Originated

    The Paper Plane Cocktail is believed to have originated at a restaurant called 'Please Don't Tell' located in New York City.

    Supposedly bartenders there were looking to create a cocktail that was inspired by the classic Boulevardier and this is what they came up with!

    I also read that M.I.A.'s song paper airplanes was the inspiration for its name!

    Pouring a paper plane drink into glass.

    🙋‍♂️ What Is Aperol?

    Aperol is a type of liqueur that is orange in color and has a bittersweet taste. It's often used in cocktails and can be found at most liquor stores.

    🙋‍♀️ What Is Amaro?

    Amaro is an Italian digestif that is made with herbal ingredients. It's often used in cocktails and can be found at most liquor stores.

    👅 What Does A Paper Plane Taste Like?

    Paper.

    Just kidding.

    This cocktail is bourbon forward with a slightly bitter edge from the Aperol and Amaro. The lemon juice helps to brighten it up and make it refreshing!

    ✈️How To Fold A Paper Airplane "Garnish"

    1. Fold a very sheet of paper in half lengthwise. (A post-it note is perfect!)

    2. Unfold the paper and then fold the top two corners towards the center crease.

    3. Fold the paper in half along the center crease again.

    4. Unfold the paper and then fold each side towards the center crease.

    5. Fold the paper in half along the center crease again.

    6. Your paper airplane is now ready to garnish your cocktail!

    🍋How To Make A Lemon Twist

    1. Cut a lemon into thin slices.

    2. Cut one slice into a thin strip.

    3. Twist the strip and place it on the rim of your glass.

    If you want to make a skinnier spiral-like twist, you will need a tool like this one.

    🍹Love fruity cocktails? Check out this awesome drink list!

    📃Substitutions

    If you don't have Aperol on hand, you can use Campari in its place. For the Amaro, I like to use Montenegro but any Italian amaro will work well. Lastly, if you don't have lemon juice, you can use orange juice instead!

    🥂Equipment Needed:

    Cocktail Shaker- This martini needs to be shaken vigorously so a shaker is a must!

    Lemon Twist Tool- To make fun spiral garnishes.

    Coupe Glass- This glass is perfect for serving cocktails like my The Perfect Gin Aperol Sour.

    😍 If You Love This Cocktail, You Might Also Like…

    A Boulevardier, Old Fashioned, or Manhattan. All of these popular cocktails are bourbon-based and feature bitters which help to give them a similar flavor profile!

    📽 If you love entertaining at home, sbscribe to my YouTube channel!!

    🍢Serve Cocktails With These Appetizers:

    Goat Cheese & Fig Jam Crostini w/ Caramelized Onions

    CRISPY Air Fryer Avocado Fries With Lime Cilantro Crema

    Baked Polenta Fries With Thyme Honey

    👋 Let's be friends! Join my mailing list to receive entertaining tips and NEW recipes!

    Paper Plane Cocktail

    The Paper Plane Cocktail is my top 3 favorite cocktail recipes so if you're a bourbon lover, this is for you! It's bright, freshing and perfect for the warmer months! I especially love the paper airplane garnish that's typically added!
    No ratings yet
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    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    0 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories:
    Author: Aleka Shunk

    Ingredients

    • 3 ounces Amaro
    • 3 ounces Aperol
    • 3 ounces bourbon
    • 3 ounces lemon juice

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
    • Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
    • Strain into two coupe or martini glasses.
    • Garnish with a lemon peel, twist and/or mini paper airplane!

    Recipe Notes

    Yield: 2 Cocktails (Use 7-8 oz. glasses)
    Watch how to make a mini paper airplane here to garnish your drink!
    Chill your glass for 15-20 minutes prior.
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me On Facebook!Mention @AlekasGetTogether or tag #AlekasGetTogether!
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