The Paper Plane Cocktail: Master This Modern Classic At Home

Key Concepts:

• Paper Plane Cocktail: A modern classic cocktail created in 2008.
• Equal Parts Cocktail: A cocktail consisting of equal measures of all ingredients.
• Amaro: Italian herbal liqueur, bitter in taste.
• Appertivo Amaro: A type of amaro that is more fruity and less bitter.
• Fine Strain: Straining a cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer to remove small ice particles.
• Lemon Peel Twist: A garnish made by expressing the oils from a lemon peel over a drink.

1. Origin and Inspiration:

• The Paper Plane cocktail was created in 2008 by Sam Ross.
• It was commissioned for the opening of The Violet Hour bar in Chicago.
• The drink was inspired by The Last Word cocktail, which also features equal parts of its ingredients.

2. Ingredients and Proportions:

• The Paper Plane consists of four ingredients, each in equal measure:
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounce Amaro Nonino
  • 3/4 ounce Aperol
  • 3/4 ounce bourbon

3. Ingredient Selection and Rationale:

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is preferred for its superior flavor.
• Aperol: An appertivo amaro, characterized by its fruity notes (strawberry, rhubarb) and lower proof. It adds sweetness and a lighter bitterness to the cocktail.
• Amaro Nonino: A more bitter amaro with notes of caramel, orange, and muskiness. It balances the sweetness of the Aperol and adds complexity. Sam Ross created the drink to showcase this newer product.
• Bourbon: The recommended base spirit. While rye or scotch could be used, bourbon provides the best balance and ties the flavors together.

4. Preparation Method:

• Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
• Shake vigorously to ensure proper dilution and chilling.
• Fine strain the mixture into a coupe glass to remove ice particles.

5. Garnishing:

• Traditionally garnished with a lemon peel twist.
  • Hold the lemon peel with the peel side out and the pith side towards you.
  • Cut a strip of peel at a 45-degree angle.
  • Express the oils over the drink by squeezing the peel.
  • Twist the peel and place it on the rim of the glass.
• Some bars use a small paper plane as a garnish, but this is less common and more difficult to create at home.

6. Tasting Notes and Balance:

• The Paper Plane is praised for its exceptional balance of flavors.
• The bitterness of the amari is complemented by the citrus notes of the lemon juice and the barrel notes of the bourbon.
• The cocktail is described as not being too sweet, sour, or bitter.

7. Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Amaro/Amari: Italian herbal liqueurs known for their bitter taste.
• Appertivo Amaro: A subcategory of amaro that is typically lighter, fruitier, and less bitter, often served as an aperitif.
• Fine Strain: Using a fine-mesh strainer to remove small ice shards from a shaken cocktail, resulting in a smoother texture.
• Coupe Glass: A stemmed glass with a shallow, broad bowl, commonly used for serving cocktails "up" (without ice).
• Expression of Oils: Releasing the aromatic oils from the citrus peel by squeezing it over the drink, adding flavor and aroma.

8. Logical Connections:

• The choice of equal parts is directly linked to the inspiration from The Last Word cocktail.
• The selection of two different amari is explained by the need to balance the sweetness of Aperol with the bitterness of Amaro Nonino.
• The recommendation of bourbon is justified by its ability to harmonize the other flavors in the drink.

9. Synthesis/Conclusion:

The Paper Plane is a well-balanced and complex cocktail that has gained popularity due to its unique flavor profile and easy-to-remember equal-parts recipe. The careful selection of ingredients, particularly the two contrasting amari, contributes to its harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. Its creation story and the rationale behind each ingredient choice highlight the thoughtfulness and skill of its creator, Sam Ross. The cocktail's balanced nature and appealing taste make it a potentially enduring modern classic.