The Paper Plane is a great introductory cocktail for those who want to develop a taste for Aperol.
Aperol is a bittersweet Italian aperitif. It’s a gorgeous, almost neon red-orange hue and tastes like biting into the rind of an orange that’s been rolled in herbs.
I’m relatively new to the world of bitter liqueurs. I don’t like Aperol straight and I fucking hate Campari but, in the right cocktail, bitter liqueurs are awesome. The Paper Plane is one of those cocktails. It lets the Aperol do its thing but in a more subdued vibe.
I’ll give the Amaro Nonino credit for counter-balancing the Aperol. Amaro is is also a bitter liqueur but on the heavier, more herb-y side. Amaro Nonino is particularly floral, with hints of vanilla and orange.
The Paper Plane is also great if you don’t like a whiskey-forward whiskey cocktail. The amaro and Aperol are such strong flavors the bourbon just lurks in the background like sneaky rogue (but the bourbon won’t shank you and steal your treasure).
This cocktail is delightfully pleasant and well-balanced and easy to make (it calls for equal parts of each of the ingredients).
The Paper Plane
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Angel’s Envy or your favorite bourbon
- 1.5 oz Amaro Nonino
- 1.5 oz Aperol
- 1.5 oz Lemon Juice
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to your shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a (preferably chilled) coupe glass.
The Bourbon Dragon 