Name: Piper Plane
Total time: 4 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 22.5 ml Scotch whisky; 22.5 ml Amaro (e.g. Nonino); 22.5 ml Orange-red aperitivo; 22.5 ml Lemon juice; 3 drop Saline solution 4:1

Piper Plane
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Glass:

Photographed in an Urban Bar Retro Optic Coupette 15cl

Ingredients:
³⁄₄ fl oz	Blended Scotch whisky
³⁄₄ fl oz	Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
³⁄₄ fl oz	Bittersweet orange-red aperitivo
³⁄₄ fl oz	Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
3 drop	Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or merest pinch of s

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Prepare:

Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
Prepare garnish of lemon or orange zest twist.

How to make:

SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish:

EXPRESS lemon or orange zest twist over cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

View readers' comments

Variations/similar cocktails:

Thanks to Bill Lenox, a fellow Discerning Drinker, who suggested this brilliantly appropriate name for a Scotch whisky-based Paper Plane, while also stating his preference for a Plane Ryder.

History:

Scotch whisky adds delicate peaty notes to this excellent riff on the usually bourbon-based Paper Plane.

Nutrition:

One serving of Piper Plane contains 162 calories

Alcohol content:

1.1 standard drinks
15.8% alc./vol. (31.59° proof)
15.3 grams of pure alcohol

More Aperitivo/aperitif cocktails

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Peter McCarthy

16th January at 02:03

I used Johnnie Walker Black for this. I think the peatiness of the Scotch does a better job of balancing the citrus and sweetness (compared to Bourbon or Rye), while also adding a new layer of complexity... Certainly a nice drink for anyone who likes Scotch.

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Calvin Grant

27th December 2025 at 03:14

Made this with a suggested alternative, Cocchi Vermouth Amaro and it was excellent. Nonino's on the shopping list... Love those stubby round wings on the Piper Cub... Cheers Bill and thanks!

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