Cocktail – Paper Plane (Whisky Twist)
The Paper Plane may sound like a playful nod to childhood nostalgia, but this modern classic flies straight into the hearts of cocktail lovers with its bold, balanced charm.
Originally crafted with bourbon, its whisky DNA makes it ripe for reinterpretation—particularly with a spicy Scotch or smooth single malt.
A symbol of the new golden age of cocktails, the Paper Plane is a bar favourite that bridges contemporary style with classic construction, offering whisky drinkers a zesty, modern alternative to heavier stirred drinks.
Ingredients:
25ml blended Scotch or smooth single malt
25ml Aperol
25ml Amaro Nonino (or substitute with Montenegro for a lighter take)
25ml fresh lemon juice
Preparation:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds.
Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a miniature paper plane or lemon twist.
Hardware:
Glassware: Coupe
Tools: Cocktail shaker, fine strainer
Flavour Profile & Experience
This whisky-forward version of the Paper Plane offers bright citrus layered with bittersweet depth. The Scotch adds subtle smoke or honeyed notes, while Aperol brings light herbal bitterness and the amaro rounds it all with spiced complexity.
The finish is crisp, refreshing, and sophisticated—ideal for early evening aperitivo moments or modern dinner parties. Highland Scotch works beautifully, though adventurous drinkers might try a delicate peated malt for smoky intrigue.
Variations & Modern Twists
One popular twist among bartenders is the “Smoky Plane”, which replaces the base spirit with a peated Scotch such as Caol Ila or Laphroaig. The smoky backbone contrasts strikingly with the citrus and herbal liqueurs, creating a dramatic and memorable sip.
Another creative variation is the “Golden Plane”, which swaps Aperol for Suze (a gentian-based aperitif) and uses a honey syrup instead of amaro—resulting in a lighter, floral rendition that plays well with Speyside single malts.
For those wanting a seasonal spin, try a Winter Plane using blood orange juice in place of lemon and adding a dash of walnut bitters. Each version maintains the original’s equal-parts simplicity while exploring new flavour terrain.
The Paper Plane’s equal-parts formula makes it ideal for batching in advance — perfect for dinner parties or events. Just pre-mix, chill, and shake with ice to order.
The original Paper Plane was created in 2007 by renowned bartender Sam Ross, also known for the Penicillin and other neo-classics. Born in New York’s legendary Milk & Honey bar, the drink was first designed for the opening menu at Chicago’s The Violet Hour and quickly caught the attention of bartenders worldwide. Its name came from the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes”, which was a hit at the time, adding a touch of pop culture irreverence to its origin.
The classic recipe uses equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice—an Italian-American fusion of bitterness, citrus, and whisky depth. It’s a rare example of perfect balance between sweet, sour, bitter, and spirituous elements, making it both crowd-pleasing and complex. As whisky culture has grown beyond the confines of the traditional Old Fashioned or Manhattan, the Paper Plane has become a springboard for bartenders to showcase whisky’s adaptability in modern craft cocktails.
In the UK, bartenders have increasingly swapped the bourbon base for Scotch—especially Highland or lightly peated styles—adding a layer of intrigue that appeals to adventurous palates. It’s an ideal gateway for whisky newcomers and a fresh take for seasoned enthusiasts alike.
In these recipes we haven’t specified the whisky to use, as you know what you like best, and it also allows you to experiment.
However, if you want a start, a good light, vanilla forward single malt to use would be The Glasgow Distillery’s Original. If you are looking to add some smokey depth, try The English Smokey, or if you want something fruity, try Arran Sherry Cask ‘The Bodega’.
