Created in 2008 by bartender Sam Ross (of NYC’s Attaboy and Milk & Honey fame), the Paper Plane is a modern classic built on four equal parts: bourbon, amaro, Aperol, and lemon juice. Named after M.I.A.’s hit “Paper Planes,” it’s bold, bright, and bittersweet—with a balance of simplicity and depth that made it an instant cult favorite.
In this non-alcoholic version, we use Spiritless Kentucky 74 (at a slightly higher ratio than the original) and The Pathfinder as our bourbon and amaro stand-ins, while Giffard Aperitif Sirop steps in for Aperol. Fresh lemon juice and our Orange Cardamom bitters tie it all together, bringing citrusy lift and just the right amount of bite. Juicy, complex, and surprisingly approachable, the Paper Plane is the perfect gateway drink for people who think they don’t like bourbon—and this version will fool even the most skeptical non-alcoholic naysayer.
This recipe was perfected using Spiritless Kentucky 74, The Pathfinder, and Giffard Aperitif Sirop, but feel free to use your favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic spirits instead.
This non-alcoholic version of the modern Paper Plane cocktail really hits all the right notes.
Ingredients
1 oz Kentucky 74
3/4 oz Giffard Aperitif
¾ oz The Pathfinder
3/4 oz lemon juice
3 dashes ATB Orange Cardamom Bitters
Directions
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice, and shake until chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist, expressing the oils over the drink.
Recipe Note
ABOUT THE PAPER PLANE First created in 2008, the Paper Plane is one of the great equal-parts cocktails of the 21st century—combining bourbon, Aperol, amaro, and lemon juice in perfect balance (although we’ve upped the bourbon in our NA version to ensure it doesn’t get lost). It’s modern, approachable, and incredibly reliable.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS Zero-proof cocktails shine when they have structure. The fresh lemon juice brings bright acidity, while both Giffard Aperitif Sirop and The Pathfinder add much-needed bitterness and texture. Bitterness adds bite, and the sugar used to balance it adds body—providing the kind of weight non-alcoholic cocktails often lack.
SPIRIT SWAPS This is a forgiving recipe. If you don’t have the exact lineup, use any non-alcoholic (or alcoholic) whiskey, amaro, and bittersweet red liqueur. Non-alcoholic spirits like Ghia, Wilfred’s, Wilderton, Ritual Zero Proof, Dr. Zero Zero, Namari, and Amaro Lucano are all great choices.
COCKTAIL BITTERS IN NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS Cocktail bitters provide depth and balance, rounding out sweet and sour flavors while adding bite. Since All The Bitter is completely 0% ABV (unlike traditional bitters, which are around 45% alcohol), you can use as much as you like to dial in flavor and complexity without affecting the ABV of your drink.
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