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This seemed like a good idea... |
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The Paper Plane (with Montenegro)
The Paper Plane combines bourbon, Aperol, Montenegro, and lemon in equal parts for a bittersweet cocktail with a citrus finish.
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This weekend, I decided to leave the experimenting alone and make a modern classic: the Paper Plane.
Created by Sam Ross in 2007, the Paper Plane follows the equal-parts formula made famous by the Last Word. The standard version combines bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and fresh lemon juice. I'm using Amaro Montenegro instead of Nonino, partly because it's easier to find and generally less expensive.
Why I Tried This
For a cocktail containing bourbon, the Paper Plane has a surprisingly different personality from what I usually make for Bourbony. And with four ingredients in equal proportions, it's refreshingly straightforward.
No adjustments, no substitutions beyond the Montenegro, and no spending half the afternoon deciding whether another quarter-ounce of something would improve it. Imagine that.
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How It Turned Out
Sweetness: The Aperol and Montenegro bring a pleasant sweetness, balanced by their herbal bitterness and the fresh lemon juice.
Balance: The Italian ingredients take the lead almost immediately. Even Wild Turkey 101, which usually makes its presence known, stays mostly in the background.
Mouth Feel: The cocktail is easy to drink, with the lemon providing a bright finish that keeps the sweeter ingredients in check.
Notes & Fine Tuning
Amaro Nonino is the traditional choice for the modern Paper Plane, but Montenegro makes a worthwhile alternative. The two aren't identical, and I wouldn't claim one is better than the other without tasting them side by side.
What I can say is that the Montenegro version works. The Aperol and amaro come through first, followed by a distinctly lemony finish. The bourbon provides a solid foundation without dominating the drink.
Sometimes a cocktail doesn't need any tinkering.
Your shaker. Your call.
Check out some of my friends:
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This Seemed Like a Good Idea is my low-commitment way of telling you when a new Bourbony cocktail exists—what I mixed, what I learned, and whether it’s worth repeating. I'm glad you're here! Please note that some links above are affiliate links for products I use and recommend. If you make a purchase through those links, I get a small commission, and you get my undying gratitude (and some cool bar stuff).
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