The short answer: a paper plane cocktail is equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and fresh lemon juice, ¾ ounce each. Shake hard with ice for 12 to 15 seconds and strain into a chilled coupe. No garnish needed.
- Key numbers: 4 ingredients · ¾ oz each · 3 oz before dilution · a little over 1 standard drink · 8 drinks = 6 oz of each
- For adults 21+ only. Serve measured pours and offer an alcohol-free option
- Free and paid next step: get the free holiday budget starter kit (we email it to you), or plan the party with the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99).
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The paper plane cocktail recipe and swaps on this page were checked November 4, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, how to shake it, substitutions, a party batch, a mocktail and responsible serving.
Paper plane ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | ¾ ounce | A mid-proof bourbon, 90 to 100 proof, is classic |
| Aperol | ¾ ounce | Orange, lightly bitter Italian aperitivo |
| Amaro Nonino | ¾ ounce | Bittersweet Italian amaro with a honeyed finish |
| Fresh lemon juice | ¾ ounce | About half a lemon, squeezed the same day |
| Ice | 1 shaker full | For shaking only; served up |
Because all four parts are the same size, the recipe is easy to remember and easy to scale.
How to make a paper plane
- Chill the glass. Fill a coupe or Nick and Nora glass with ice water while you mix.
- Measure. Pour ¾ ounce each of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice into a shaker. A jigger keeps every drink the same strength.
- Shake. Fill with ice and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the shaker is frosty.
- Strain. Dump the ice water from the glass and double strain the drink into it.
- Serve. It needs no garnish. A tiny paper plane on the rim is the playful bar touch.
Paper plane substitutions
| Swap | Use | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Amaro Nonino | Amaro Montenegro | Lighter, floral |
| Amaro Nonino | Averna | Darker, richer, cola notes |
| Aperol | ½ oz Campari + ¼ oz simple syrup | More bitter |
| Bourbon | Rye whiskey | Spicier, drier |
| Fresh lemon | Bottled lemon juice | Flatter; fresh is worth it |
The drink dates to the late 2000s, when bartender Sam Ross built it and named it after the M.I.A. song Paper Planes. Early versions used Campari before Aperol became the standard.
Batch paper planes for a party
Pre-mixing saves you from shaking all night. For 8 drinks:
- Combine 6 ounces (¾ cup) each of bourbon, Aperol and Amaro Nonino in a pitcher or bottle.
- Add 6 ounces of fresh lemon juice the same day you serve it.
- Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Shake 3-ounce portions with ice to order, or stir in 4 ounces of cold water for dilution and pour over a large ice cube.
Pair the drinks with plenty of food. Our Christmas appetizers, Christmas party food and easy appetizers lists have make-ahead ideas, and Christmas cocktails has more drinks for the season.
Paper plane amounts by number of drinks
| Drinks | Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon juice (each) | Total before dilution |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ¾ ounce | 3 ounces |
| 4 | 3 ounces | 12 ounces |
| 8 | 6 ounces | 24 ounces |
| 12 | 9 ounces | 36 ounces |
Keep the lemon juice fresh and add it the same day. For a larger party, mix the non-citrus parts early and add the lemon juice at the end. If some guests are not drinking, offer one of our Christmas mocktails. For a spirit-forward alternative at the same gathering, compare the proportions in our classic martini recipe.
Alcohol-free paper plane
Shake 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice, 1 ounce of blood orange or regular orange juice, ½ ounce of honey syrup and 1 ounce of cold black tea with ice. Strain into a coupe and top with a splash of sparkling water. It keeps the bittersweet, citrusy idea for guests who do not drink.
Responsible serving, 21+
This recipe is for adults 21 and older. The NIAAA says a U.S. standard drink holds about 14 grams of pure alcohol, equal to 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. With three spirits in one glass, a paper plane is a little more than one standard drink, as the CDC's standard drink sizes help you estimate. The CDC's guidance on moderate drinking is 2 drinks or fewer a day for men and 1 or fewer for women, and some people should not drink at all, including anyone who is pregnant.
- Measure every pour with a jigger.
- Keep water and alcohol-free drinks out all night.
- Stop serving alcohol well before the party ends, and help guests get home safely.
Keeping party drinks on budget
Three bottles for one drink adds up, so plan the bar like any other part of the menu. Browse more cocktail and mocktail ideas in drinks.
- Pick one signature cocktail instead of a full bar.
- Count drinks first: about one drink per guest per hour is a common planning number.
- Set a total: our holiday budget guide and holiday party planning checklist help you set the number before you buy.
Plan the party and the spending
- Christmas Budget & Gift Planner, $4.99. Holiday budget, menu planner and grocery list pages in one printable.
- Holiday Season Bundle, $15.99 (
$25.94bought separately). The Christmas planner plus a meal planner for hosting and four more holiday money printables. - Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. An aisle-sorted grocery list for lemons, ice and party food.
Browse every holiday planner and printable in our holiday shop.
Christmas Budget & Gift Planner
Set a budget for every person, log each purchase, and watch what's left - plus printable gift, card, menu and to-do pages.
$4.99 · Instant download. Print at home or fill it in on screen. Or browse the full Holidays collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a paper plane cocktail? A paper plane cocktail is equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and fresh lemon juice, usually ¾ ounce of each. It is shaken hard with ice and strained into a chilled coupe with no garnish needed.
What does a paper plane taste like? A paper plane tastes bright, bittersweet and balanced. The lemon brings tartness, Aperol adds orange and gentle bitterness, the amaro brings honeyed herbal notes and the bourbon gives warmth and body.
Who created the paper plane cocktail? Bartender Sam Ross created the paper plane in the late 2000s, and it quickly became a modern classic. It is named after the M.I.A. song Paper Planes, and the early version used Campari before Aperol became standard.
What can I substitute for Amaro Nonino? Amaro Montenegro is the closest easy swap, with a lighter, floral sweetness. Averna works too but makes a darker, richer drink. If you change the amaro, taste and adjust the lemon slightly.
Can I use Campari instead of Aperol in a paper plane? Yes, but the drink becomes much more bitter and less fruity. Try ½ ounce of Campari with ¼ ounce of simple syrup in place of the ¾ ounce of Aperol to keep it balanced.
How strong is a paper plane cocktail? A paper plane made with ¾ ounce each of bourbon, Aperol and amaro holds a little more than one U.S. standard drink, which NIAAA defines as about 14 grams of pure alcohol.
Can you batch paper plane cocktails for a party? Yes, you can batch paper plane cocktails for a party. For 8 drinks, mix 6 ounces each of bourbon, Aperol and Amaro Nonino with 6 ounces of fresh lemon juice. Chill it, then shake each portion with ice to order, or stir in 4 ounces of cold water and pour over ice.
How can I plan party drinks into a holiday budget? The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has holiday budget, menu and grocery pages, so bottles, mixers and food are planned and priced before you shop.
Is there a bundle for holiday hosting and spending? Yes, the HomeBase Paper Co. Holiday Season Bundle plans holiday meals, hosting and spending in one set. The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99, $25.94 bought separately) from HomeBase Paper Co. includes the Christmas budget and gift planner, a meal planner for hosting and four more holiday money printables.
What printable helps with party shopping lists? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. includes an aisle-sorted grocery list and a pantry inventory, so lemons, ice and party snacks all land on one list.
How much of each ingredient do I need for 12 paper planes? For 12 paper plane cocktails you need 9 ounces each of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and fresh lemon juice, which is 36 ounces in total before dilution. The recipe is equal parts at ¾ ounce each per drink, so multiply by the number of servings.
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Sources
- NIAAA: What is a standard drink? niaaa.nih.gov
- CDC: About moderate alcohol use cdc.gov
- CDC: Standard drink sizes cdc.gov