Are you a Discerning Drinker?
Join thousands of like-minded professionals and cocktail enthusiasts, receive our weekly newsletters and see pages produced by our community for fellow Discerning Drinkers.
Forum
Paper Plane
Bittersweet with underlying bourbon character and lemon zestiness
Michael Cronin
24th February 2024 at 21:51
A bit drier than I would prefer. Backed off the lemon juice, just a bit and added a dash of maple syrup. Perfect!
16th February 2025 at 22:58
Are you Canadian?
18th June 2024 at 14:03
Yes you really have to balance the sweet/sour here. Likewise with a last word. I add half the suggested amount to the shaker, taste, then progressively add more to get optimal balance.
5th January 2024 at 21:47
Love seeing how everyone has tried this with different amari. Instead I switched out the aperitivo - didn’t have Aperol (which I’m not all that fond of, too sweet) so I used our local aperitivo from the Old Poison Distillery right here in Leith. The result is excellent, if not as pretty to look at as the original. But arguably much more interesting!
30th December 2023 at 09:34
Made a mezcal version, like a division bell but not.. Paper Bell maybe? Whatever it's called, it's a nice one! Three favourite drinks just a substitute or two apart from one another. Last word riffs rule.
18th May 2024 at 10:43
Avión de Papel (más o menos - it’s better with mezcal).
5th December 2023 at 05:15
Macfarlane's Reserve KT Bourbon | Am Noni | Aperol | Super Lemon Juice _____________ built with -33% Super lemon juice than spec. too acidic for me. could be a testimony against super lemon juice, possibly? or, this kinda flat dimensionless bourbon i picked up? not sure.
1st October 2023 at 11:04
Maybe Australian lemons are extra strong, but we couldn’t taste the other ingredients so halved it, to good effect.
22nd August 2023 at 22:02
Bought a bottle of Nonino purely to make this and very glad I did. A definite improvement on the Averna I had previously been using. Think this will become a real favourite.
28th June 2023 at 23:13
Great one, made it with Montenegro amaro instead of Nonino, love how well-rounded it is.
19th June 2023 at 00:49
This a fav! I used Knob Creek Bourbon, Braulio, Campari (out of Aperol, which is too sweet for me), and Meyer lemon. Excellent.
9th July 2023 at 23:56
Tried the rye variation which is less sweet than bourbon. A nice variant
10th June 2023 at 18:04
The Triple Crown variation is nice: swap the Aperol out and put Pamplemousse in its place, up the bourbon/rye by 1/4 oz.
29th May 2023 at 16:09
Used montenegro because, as everyone says, it's basically the same as nonino (if not better). Delicious. Bittersweet fruit, some spice from the bourbon, grapefruit notes but there is a little *something* there that makes this absolutely divine. It's not quite a refresher or tutti frutti chew but it's close.
18th May 2023 at 20:21
Beyond delicious. Perfectly balanced, beautiful color, sooo easy to drink.
I always use buffalo trace for bourbon.
I always use buffalo trace for bourbon.
6th March 2023 at 05:04
Agree that Nonino makes this cocktail, but I didn't try it with rye because the amaro & aperitivo add enough complexity as it is. My wife liked it as written but I had a slight preference for a version made by replacing the Aperol with Martini & Rossi Fiero, a slightly more complex aperitivo than Aperol. Campari or a vermouth di Torino would definitely overpower the Nonino.
21st February 2023 at 02:29
Amaro Nonino really makes this cocktail. Other subs may come close, but there's a remarkable balance and zip that only Nonino delivers.
I put a couple of sage leaves in the shaker, then run purple sage along the rim of a coupe and float that for garnish - a nice savory note that pairs well with the citrus, and the color is a bonus.
I put a couple of sage leaves in the shaker, then run purple sage along the rim of a coupe and float that for garnish - a nice savory note that pairs well with the citrus, and the color is a bonus.
13th February 2023 at 20:27
A note on substitutes: Not having Nonino I tried Averna and didn’t like it hardly at all. Now I tried with Montenegro, and it’s excellent, like adult candy. So I confirm what many others already said.
16th January 2023 at 22:56
Easily one of my favorites, biggest con is its too easy to drink
3rd November 2022 at 00:28
This was a perfect aperitif. Flavourful, nicely bitter, and a good hint of citrus. Great colour. Easy to drink and very enjoyable.
29th October 2022 at 17:58
This was tonight's aperitif choice from my Must Try list but didn't do my homework hadn't notice the Amaro lol. Too late to order the Nonino from my supplier who has it so went to the local shop and they had the Averna which is one of the alternatives listed on a list. My cocktail was dark brown though. If I make this again I may reduce the lemon. To be honest am not sure what to make of it as it doesn't taste like any other cocktails ever. My husband did make 2 litte paper planes though.
30th October 2022 at 09:52
I just looked into the Nonino and only noticed now that this Amaron is also of a light colour like Aperol, that'll be why the colour didn't match. It may work better getting it rather than using one of the alternatives.
18th October 2022 at 02:40
Loved this as written above. If you like that grapefruit vibe try swapping the Aperol for Amaro Santoni and a grapefruit zest twist.
26th August 2022 at 22:12
Splendid. I agree with previous commenters that there is a grapefruit-like quality here. I would also add nthat this is absolutely worth purchasing some Aperol. I also tried it with Campari (all other ingredients the same), and the increased bitterness throws the drink out of balance for me.
10th July 2022 at 11:53
Solid. Tried with Campari and Bulleit Rye first and now with Nonino and Wild Turkey 81. Second is better.
9th June 2022 at 00:28
Bulleit (Rye or Bourbon, depending), Campari, Aperol (or Peychaud's Apperitivo), and fresh lemon. It always amazes me how much this concoction tastes like *grapefruit*, of all things. Everyone I've made it for, so far, loves it. It's easy to make, and your friends will think you're a superstar. Just don't tell them the ingredients, unless they are adventurous.
8th June 2022 at 14:43
Amaro is impossible to get where I live, thus subbed with Jagermeister - still very good!
14th August 2023 at 11:23
Well actually I've made it using Nonino since then, for sure Nonino makes the drink. But, still worth trying with Jager if there is no other option.
11th August 2023 at 22:19
hilarious
2nd June 2022 at 03:30
With Fred Jerbis Amaro, this is pretty amazing.
21st May 2022 at 23:29
Made with bourbon and Montenegro. The lemon juice and aperol almost give it a grapefruit tang. Very moreish
26th April 2022 at 10:00
Great cocktail! Tastes like a boozy orange. I put a bit more lemon juice and all the original ingredients.
15th April 2022 at 18:56
I've made this with both Amaro Nonino and Amaro Nonino. Maybe I have a terrible palate, but the difference between the two resulting drinks is minor. As I don't use Nonino for much else, I'll probably stick to Montenegro in future and save some money, as Carol Smith suggests. Will definitely try this with rye next time too.
13th April 2022 at 21:54
I usually make this with Evan Williams white label (Bottled in Bond). It is an inexpensive bourbon that I buy by the half US gallon and it is my go-to cocktail bourbon. The Maker's 46 definitely ups it by half a star. I think Maker's 46 cask strength would be even better, but you are then getting into Single Malt price range. Sam, himself called for a short, gentle shake, and I have been stirring recently.
10th April 2022 at 19:36
The drink that brought me here several years ago still a top 3 favourite. Agree with some others; rye over bourbon for me. Such a pleasure to make this for someone who has never had it - a proper crowd pleaser.
27th March 2022 at 01:48
I make this at home very frequently. It is one of my favorites. However, I found that it is better with Rye Whiskey rather than bourbon. Basically every bartender who knows how to make them also agrees and tends to make them that way.
11th March 2022 at 18:32
Made this with Amaro CioCiaro and it worked pretty well, a little less bright but still tasty. I also once experimented and swapped the Aperol with Cynar, suited my taste but felt kind of moody.