Paper Planes Are Ready for Takeoff ✈️

The Paper Plane is flying high this year.

Dubbed the cocktail of 2025 by Food52, it’s got a riveting backstory, a name that flies off the tongue and a flavor that’ll keep you ordering round after round.

Originally crafted in 2008 by award-winning mixologist Sam Ross at Chicago’s The Violet Hour, the Paper Plane is setting the bar (literally) for cocktails lovers so far this year. Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and fresh lemon juice come together in equal parts to create a perfectly balanced riff on a bourbon sour. A little sweet, a little bitter, totally irresistible. Garnish it with a paper plane or an orange twist for some extra flair.

The drink’s name? Inspired by Paper Planes by M.I.A. — the song that was everywhere back in the day and, ICYMI, is now trending again on TikTok. Coincidence? Maybe. Destiny? Definitely.

“This simple classic is a perfectly balanced drink for the guest who may be afraid of a bourbon-based cocktail,” says Jack Murphy, bar manager at By the Way in Charleston, SC. “I’ve seen them pop up more and more in cocktail culture and gave a personal spin by infusing Aperol with cranberries and rosemary.” Whether you're hitting the bar or shaking one up in your kitchen, the Paper Plane is the cocktail moment of 2025.

Cheers to that — let’s get sippin’:

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By the Way, Charleston, SC

"This Seasonal Paper Plane brings together not only a fun name and garnish opportunity but a perfectly balanced drink for the guest that may be afraid of a bourbon-based cocktail. We wanted to give our own personal spin by infusing the Aperol before constructing the drink with a seasonal combination of cranberries and rosemary.”

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‍Straightaway Paper Plane Cocktail

Buckle in; your very own Paper Plane awaits. Balancing bright citrus notes with herbal undertones, it performs aerial acrobatics for your tastebuds.

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Mister Mao, in New Orleans, LA

Tequila and Aperol pair beautifully in this bittersweet, tangy sour while elderflower liqueur delivers a subtle botanical kiss. Fresh homemade lemon-ginger juice and two dashes of Angostura Bitters seal the deal for a spiced take on this classic cocktail.

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Ace Porter, San Diego, CA

A perfectly balanced, timeless drink which blends the richness and warmth of Garrison Brother’s bourbon with the bitter-sweet Amaro Nonino and Aperol. The fresh lemon juice also adds a bright, zesty lift that ties it all together.

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Tip Top Cocktails Paper Plane

One sip and you’ll understand why this modern classic has achieved first-class status. Its delight is surely in its paradoxical flavor- it’s light and juicy yet complex and satisfying.

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FLINT Kitchen & Bar in Oklahoma City, OK

Henry Mckenna Single Barrel Bourbon, Nonino Amaro, Aperol and lemon juice. The Paper Plane, a riff on a riff, is built on a simple formula: four ingredients in equal parts. This structure leaves no room for error, demanding balance as each element shines, mingles and mellows into a perfectly harmonious sip.

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Crown Block, Dallas, TX

Winning a Michelin Recommended title this fall, Crown Block’s cocktail program is a unique component to the accolade - all cocktails are created with craftmanship and offer the highest of quality liquors and ingredients.

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