Cardboard Plane

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (34)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
3⁄4 fl oz Cointreau L'Unique triple sec liqueur
1⁄2 fl oz Amaro (e.g. Meletti)
3⁄4 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄2 fl oz Pink grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
2 drop Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or pinch of salt

How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Koto Old Fashioned 30cl

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of grapefruit zest twist.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS grapefruit zest twist over cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Cardboard Plane contains 172 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 19.11% alc./vol. (38.22° proof)
  • 21.5 grams of pure alcohol

History

Adapted from a recipe created at the Lion's Share in San Diego, California, and brought to our attention, in April 2025, courtesy of fellow Discerning Drinker, Sterling Diesel, by way of a comment on our Paper Plane page.

Review

A bittered orange and grapefruit riff on the contemporary classic Paper Plane.

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$2.85 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

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* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Frederic D. Premium Member
Since I am not the biggest fan of sours, I took inspiration from this, removed the lemon, and made a version with 1 Old Forester, 1 grapefruit juice, 3/4 Nonino, 3/4 Combier. This was actually quite tasty, but I might workshop different amaros - based on comments below, I think Averna is next on the list.
score: 0
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
Meletti or Averna sounds preferable to the Amaro dell'Etna I used in this. I was, however, quite delighted with the flavors I got. Oh so moreish.
score: 0
Marie-Therese Straus
This was outstanding. We were looking for a lighter, more refreshing whiskey cocktail to beat the heat here in California and this was it. We did not have Meletti on hand but used Averna instead. This is just a beautiful balance of varied citrus flavours and richer notes from the bourbon and amaro. One of the best sour variations I've had in recent years; we'll be adding this to our permanent repertoire.
score: 1
Scott Regenbogen
Made this with Averna and it was very nicely balanced. Enough bitterness from the grapefruit, and rich texture from the Amaro. Came out great.
score: 5
Marie-Therese Straus
We also used Averna and thought this was an outstanding cocktail. Juicy and bright but quite complex. A new favourite for us.
score: 2
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
A beautifully balanced and complex sour. I wonder why our good host could go no higher than four stars.
score: 2
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
Maybe it's just us but Meletti has the vaguest of vague hint of salted anchovy...one reason why we love it.
score: 2

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$2.85 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.