The Paper Plane is a cocktail of harmony. It’s built on a foundation of four equal parts: bold bourbon, bright lemon juice, and the bittersweet duo of Aperol and Amaro Nonino Quintessentia—the true stars of the show. Together, they create a flavor profile that’s nothing short of addictive. When you take a sip, you’ll first notice the bright, zesty notes of the lemon and the bitterness of the Aperol. This is quickly followed by the rich, caramel warmth of the bourbon and the complex, herbal, and slightly nutty finish from the Amaro Nonino. It’s a drink that is refreshing, complex, and incredibly smooth.

Despite its ubiquity among bartenders and at cocktail bars, the Paper Plane is a relatively recent creation. It was invented in 2007 by Sam Ross, an award-winning NYC bartender who also gave us the scotch-based Penicillin cocktail. He developed the drink for the opening menu of The Violet Hour in Chicago. The name is a nod to the M.I.A. song “Paper Planes.” Ross originally intended to use Aperol, but due to a miscommunication, the bar manager purchased Amaro Nonino. Ross tried the Nonino and found it worked perfectly, and the rest is cocktail history.