Name: Parcel Paper
Total time: 4 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 22.5 ml Rye whiskey 50% abv; 22.5 ml Grand Marnier; 22.5 ml Amaro (e.g. Averna); 22.5 ml Lemon juice; 3.75 ml Sugar syrup (2:1)

Parcel Paper
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Glass:

Photographed in an Urban Bar Retro Optic Coupette 15cl

Ingredients:
³⁄₄ fl oz	Straight rye whiskey (100 proof /50% alc./vol.)
³⁄₄ fl oz	Grand Marnier or other cognac orange liqueur
³⁄₄ fl oz	Amaro (e.g. Averna)
³⁄₄ fl oz	Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
¹⁄₈ fl oz	Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water, 65.0°Brix)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Prepare:

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

How to make:

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

Garnish:

EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Review:

A riff on a Paper Plane named for its colour. This rye whisky-laced cocktail is bittersweet and sweet 'n' sour, with lemon and orange zestiness.

View readers' comments

History:

Adapted from a recipe created in 2025 by Donaldo Ndoj 2026 at Rules Cocktail Bar in London, England.

Nutrition:

One serving of Parcel Paper contains 195 calories

Alcohol content:

1.5 standard drinks
21.02% alc./vol. (42.04° proof)
21.1 grams of pure alcohol

More Bittersweet (e.g. Negroni) cocktails
More Herbal cocktails
More Sours (citrus) 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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Showing 7 comments for Parcel Paper.
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Jeremy Harrold

10th June at 18:26

Unfortunately for me a bit average. I’m not sure where the Averna went but it didn’t add a lot to a standard sour.

Mika Perkiömäki

20th May at 04:36

I refrained from rating this because I upped the rich syrup to 10 ml. I have noticed that Simon likes austere cocktails. This is adapted, but I just couldn't find the original. Does it have more sugar syrup? :)
But with that 10 ml rich syrup this is very good, 4/5 :)

Ross Cameron

18th May at 16:42

Enjoyed this cocktail but it is a bit one dimensional

Ian Thompson

16th May at 20:37

I love this. It's like a whiskey sour with a dark, sexy voice.

Mel Donahue

13th May at 00:20

I didn’t have Averna on hand - the interwebs suggested CioCiaro as a swap so went with that and found the drink to be immaculately balanced. Enjoyed it immensely! I’m convinced that citrus brings out the best in rye and bourbon.

trendomexico

10th May at 02:37

Where does it came the hint of chocolate? Its sort of a naked and famous, but full clothed and anonymous. Older and more introspective. I don't know if I woudl do it again, but certainly is cute, interesteing, talkative. Good ol' cham

Simon Sedgley

9th May at 13:42

A deep, solemn and delicious sour, perfectly balanced. If you want to make it lighter and brighter, we suggest substituting Braulio for the Averna. And in the space of two drinks you will have travelled from sunny Sicily to the Alps.