9 Paper Plane Variations for a Creative Twist

The Paper Plane cocktail has taken the world by storm and is one of the most popular recipes here on The Mixer. If you’re keen to try out a few fun Paper Plane cocktail variations, this easy guide will help you hit the cocktail runway in style.  

Even though the Paper Plane drink recipe was only created in 2008, it has a strapping old-world vibe that appeals to many cocktail enthusiasts. Its inventor, Sam Ross, is a celebrated bartender and co-owner of various amazing bars in New York. He named his creation after a song by a band called M.I.A., also named Paper Planes, which was headlining every radio hitlist during the summer of 2008.  

Here are a few twists on this modern classic that always hit the right notes:

1. Naked and Famous

If you love a drink with a line-up of exciting ingredients, you’ve got to try the Naked and Famous. Combining equal parts mezcal, Aperol (opens in new window), yellow Chartreuse, and fresh lime juice, it’s intensely flavored yet beautifully balanced—the perfect drink for your next dinner party. 

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2. The Regional Jet

If you are a fan of a hint of herbal bitterness in your cocktail, we highly recommend the Regional Jet. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

• 0.75 oz Aperol (opens in new window)

• 0.75 oz Cynar (opens in new window)

• 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

• Ice

• Garnish: Orange ribbon (optional)

Method

1. Add bourbon, Aperol, Cynar, lemon juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker

2. Shake until frosty

3. Strain into a chilled glass

4. Garnish with an orange ribbon if preferred

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3. Paper Kamikaze

Sometimes you just have to play fast and loose with a drink format to see what works, and the Paper Kamikaze certainly did not go up in flames. It swaps bourbon for aged rum, and it works. 

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz Appleton Estate Rum (opens in new window)

• 0.75 oz Amaro Averna (opens in new window)

• 0.75 oz Campari (opens in new window)

• 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

• Ice

• Garnish: Origami paper plane

Method

1. Add rum, Amaro Averna, Campari, lemon juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker

2. Shake until well combined and chilled

3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass

4. Garnish with an origami paper plane

Read next: The What to Mix with Rum: The Ultimate List of 2-Ingredient Rum Drinks

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	Mix it. Match it. Master it! Loris Contro talks all things Aperol. Full interview here.

4. Amen Corner

Paper Plane ingredients have been switched up to great effect for years, and we are big fans of this sprightly riff. The Amen Corner comes to the party with a kiss of mint instead of lemon. 

Ingredients

• 4–5 Mint leaves

• 2 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

• 1 oz Aperol

• 0.75 oz Amaro Averna

• Ice

• Garnish: Brandied cherry

Method

1. Muddle mint leaves in a cocktail shaker

2. Add bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Averna, and ice

3. Shake until frosty

4. Strain into a chilled coupe glass

5. Garnish with a brandied cherry

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5. Winglet cocktail

A winglet is that vertical fin on the tip of an aircraft wing that reduces drag. While we don’t know who created this classic drink, one thing is for sure: this Paper Plane variation is certainly no drag!

Ingredients

• 1 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

• 1 oz Aperol

• 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 oz Fresh orange juice

• 0.5 oz Grenadine

• Ice

• Garnish: Cherry

Method

1. Add ice, bourbon, Aperol, lemon juice, and orange juice to a shaker

2. Shake to chill

3. Strain into a serving glass

4. Drop a cherry into the bottom of the glass

5. Slowly add grenadine so it sinks to the bottom

6. Do not stir again; serve layered

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6. The Cutter

Sometimes even the smallest change to an existing recipe can yield a completely different and wholly compelling drink. Such is the case with the Cutter recipe, which was developed by bartender Alec Bales at the Ticonderoga Club in Atlanta. 

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

• 0.75 oz Campari

• 0.5 oz Amaro Averna

• 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

• 0.25 oz Simple syrup

• Ice

Method

1. Add whiskey, Campari, amaro, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker

2. Shake until frosty

3. Strain into a chilled serving glass

4. Serve immediately

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7. Airport Bar

We love hanging out in airport bars because there are no rules! Clinking drinks to an imminent trip at 10:00 in the morning? Sure thing, travelers! Naturally, the cocktail named after this magical place is a treat as well. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

• 0.75 oz Aperol

• 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 oz Strawberry liqueur

• Ice

• Garnish: Strawberry slice

Method

1. Add bourbon, Aperol, lemon juice, strawberry liqueur, and ice to a cocktail shaker

2. Shake to chill

3. Strain into a chilled serving glass

4. Garnish with a strawberry slice

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8. Business Class

Paper plane with gin and bubbly in the mix? Don’t mind if we do! It’s an upgrade to a whole new level, honey. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Bulldog Gin (opens in new window)

• 0.5 oz Aperol

• 0.5 oz Fresh lemon juice

• Prosecco, to top

• Ice

• Garnish: Orange slice

Method

1. Add gin, Aperol, lemon juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker

2. Shake to chill

3. Strain into a chilled Champagne flute

4. Top with prosecco

5. Garnish with an orange slice

Find out: What is Gin Made From: The Story Behind Gin and Its Origins 

9. First Officer Spritz

We adore a sprightly Spritz cocktail, and this drink is up there with the most enchanting of them all. 

Ingredients

• 1 oz Aperol

• 0.75 oz Fresh lemon juice

• 0.5 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon

• Club soda, to top

• Crushed ice

• Garnish: Bits of fruit (your choice)

Method

1. Add a scoop of crushed ice to a large wine glass

2. Add Aperol, lemon juice, and bourbon

3. Top with club soda

4. Stir gently to combine

5. Garnish with fun fruity bits

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Well, now you know—there are all sorts of amazing Paper Plane cocktail variations. Let us know which one is your favorite and tag us in your pictures on the ‘Gram (opens in new window). Also, remember to sign up for our newsletter to get a serious serving of inspiration dished up in your inbox.