Take to the skies, all without taking off your shoes and hustling through the TSA line. And it all starts with a modern classic cocktail. The paper plane cocktail is a 2008 baby. That doesn't mean that it isn't time for a remix, though. After you launch into the classic, set your sights on some new ways to explore the sky.
Classic Paper Plane Cocktail Recipe
Equal parts cocktails make mixing and measuring super easy - you don't have to remember measurements - just the ingredients. You can splash one or three into a cocktail shaker without having to do any math.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce bourbon
- ¾ ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce Amaro Nonino
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, Aperol, Amaro, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel, if desired.
Fast Fact
Remember M.I.A.'s "Paper Plane" and how it flooded the airwaves in 2007? That's exactly how this drink got its name.
A Riff on the Paper Plane Cocktail: The Regional Jet
If you find yourself hunched into a regional jet and weren't able to snag one of those solo seats, this cocktail can give your soul some solace. Make it easy on your jet-lagged self and use equal parts if that makes life easier. Want to kick your garnish to the next level? Consider using a tiny paper plane.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce bourbon
- ¾ ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce cardamaro
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Orange ribbon for garnish, optional
Ingredients
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, Aperol, cardamaro, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with an orange ribbon, if desired.
Winglet Cocktail
The winglet is that little shark fin on the tip of the wing of the airplane. That is absolutely the official definition. Okay, it's as official as this is the official classic recipe, but life is for having fun.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce bourbon
- 1 ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, Aperol, lemon juice, and orange juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Drop a cherry into bottom of glass.
- Slowly add grenadine, allowing it to sink. Do not stir.
Airport Bar
There's no place more lawless and chaotic than the airport bar. It could be 7 AM or it could be 10 PM - someone is having a drink. It's also the prime spot for people watching while you charge your phone and have yourself a snacktivity.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce strawberry-infused bourbon
- ¾ ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce strawberry liqueur
- Ice
- Strawberry slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, strawberry bourbon, Aperol, lemon juice, and strawberry liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with a strawberry slice.
Business Class
What's more appropriate for business class than a glass of bubbles?
Instructions
- 1 ounce gin
- ½ ounce Aperol
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Prosecco to top off
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a Champagne glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, Aperol, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
First Officer Spritz
Take things a little bit lighter. You'd still need to go eight hours from bottle to throttle, but either way, avoid that hangover.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Aperol
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ ounce bourbon
- Crushed ice
- Club soda to top off
- Strawberry slice, lemon wheel, and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a wine glass, add crushed ice, Aperol, lemon juice, and bourbon.
- Top off with club soda.
- Stir briefly to chill.
- Garnish with a strawberry slice, lemon wheel, and mint sprig.
The Paper Plane: Taking Cocktails to New Heights
Grab your boarding pass and take off with a paper plane cocktail. Keep it fresh with a riff, and enjoy business class, or take it light and breezy with a spritz. However you approach it, there's no wrong way to take flight.
