The Paper Plane (Split Base): A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Some cocktails are born iconic. Others evolve into icons. The Paper Plane belongs to both stories—and the split-basePaper Plane represents its next evolutionary leap.

The original Paper Plane, created in 2007, is a study in precision—four ingredients in perfect equilibrium, a modern equal-parts sour that brought amaro into the global spotlight. But in the last decade, advanced cocktail bars have begun exploring the drink’s deeper potential by adjusting its structure. And the most influential and beloved of these evolutions is the split-base Paper Plane, a version that amplifies complexity, extends the flavor arc, and transforms the drink into a layered, aromatic, deeply expressive modern sour.

Imagine the familiar profile—bright citrus, bourbon warmth, bitter-orange complexity from Aperol, and the earthy herbality of amaro nonino—now supported by a more dynamic foundation. The split-base style gives the drink altitude. Lift. Dimension. A longer runway and a more elegant landing.

This is the complete history and craft of the split-base Paper Plane—how we got here, how the drink evolved, and how to make the definitive version today.

I. Origins

The Original Paper Plane

The Paper Plane was created in 2007 by Sam Ross, one of the most influential bartenders of the modern era (also creator of the Penicillin and the Oaxacan Old Fashioned). Working at Milk & Honey, Ross designed the drink for one of the early days of The Violet Hour in Chicago. The name was a playful nod to the then-new M.I.A. track “Paper Planes.”

Its structure became legendary:

• ¾ oz bourbon

• ¾ oz Aperol

• ¾ oz Amaro Nonino

• ¾ oz lemon juice

The balance was uncanny—bright, bitter, herbal, warming, refreshing. It became an instant contemporary classic.

The Road to Split-Base

As the drink spread globally, bartenders began to experiment. But the Paper Plane’s balance is delicate; aggressive variation often breaks it. Only a few evolutions truly improved or deepened the cocktail.

The most respected of these?The split-base Paper Plane.

Instead of relying solely on bourbon, bartenders introduced a second spirit—something to expand the flavor architecture without overwhelming the drink’s gentle harmony.

This led to a renaissance of Paper Plane riffs, but the split-base style quickly became the gold standard.

II. Historical Evolution

Why Split the Base?

The original Paper Plane uses bourbon alone, which provides:

• Caramel sweetness

• Oak warmth

• A soft grain backbone

But bartenders soon discovered that layering a second spirit:

• Enhances dryness

• Adds aromatic lift

• Balances the sweetness of Aperol

• Highlights the herbal depth of Nonino

• Lengthens the finish

The Most Common Split: Bourbon + Rye

This became the industry favorite.

• Bourbon adds roundness and sweetness

• Rye adds spice, structure, and sharper edges

This makes the drink brighter, leaner, and more adult without losing its personality.

Alternative Splits

Craft bars also popularized:

• Bourbon + Mezcal → smoky, earthy backbone

• Bourbon + Aged Rum → velvet texture and molasses warmth

• Bourbon + Brandy → fruitier, more elegant

• Bourbon + Japanese Whisky → silky, minimal, top-note emphasis

Each variation reveals a different facet of the Paper Plane’s architecture.

The Modern Standard

Today, when a menu lists “Paper Plane (Split Base),” it almost always refers to bourbon + rye. This is the version that has become a quiet modern benchmark: a bartender’s subtle upgrade that respects the original while giving it more altitude.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Paper Plane is a symphony of four voices. When split-base is introduced, that symphony becomes layered, deeper, and more expressive—without disrupting the equal-parts structure.

Bourbon

Role:

• Sweetness

• Body

• Vanilla / caramel richness

Profiles:

• 90–100 proof ideal

• Too sweet overwhelms balance

Rye Whiskey

Role:

• Spice

• Grain brightness

• Structure

• Length

Profiles:

• 90–110 proof

• Lean and dry rye works best

Aperol

Provides:

• Bitter orange

• Soft rhubarb

• Gentle sweetness

• The signature coral color

Amaro Nonino

The crucial balancing agent.Notes of:

• Grappa

• Orange

• Gentian

• Honey

• Alpine herbs

Its elegance makes the drink possible; other amaros rarely replicate the balance.

Lemon Juice

The acid engine.Brightens the amari.Sharpens the whiskey.Zips the entire drink into clarity.

Technique

Shake hard, but briefly.Why?

• You want aeration, not froth

• You want ice-cold temperature without dilution

Strain into a chilled coupe.No garnish needed—the color is the garnish.

IV. Cultural Significance

A Modern Classic’s Next Chapter

The original Paper Plane became a global sensation:

• Minimalist

• Balanced

• Consistent

• Universally appealing

The split-base version represents the second generation of the drink’s legacy.

Bartender DNA

The Paper Plane (Split Base) is now:

• A bartender favorite

• A quiet flex among craft programs

• A sign of deep respect for foundational flavors

• A way to refine a modern classic without overwriting it

The Rise of Amaro Culture

The split-base Paper Plane helped push the amaro renaissance forward:

• More amari explored

• More bitter-forward cocktails featured

• Greater consumer comfort with complexity

A New Template

Like the Last Word and the Jungle Bird, the Paper Plane has become a template drink—one that evolves while remaining structurally recognizable.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Below is the widely accepted professional standard for the split-base Paper Plane.

Recipe — The Classic Paper Plane (Split Base)

Ingredients

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) bourbon

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) rye whiskey

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) Aperol

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) Amaro Nonino

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker tin.

2. Fill with ice and shake hard for 10–12 seconds.

3. Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.

4. No garnish—or a tiny paper airplane on a pick for ceremony.

Specs

• Glass: Coupe

• Ice: None (served up)

• Garnish: Optional small paper plane

• Style: Split-base modern amaro sour

Technique Notes

• Avoid over-dilution; the drink collapses if watery.

• Lemon must be fresh—bottled acid shortens the finish.

• Aperol adds sweetness; rye must be dry enough to counterbalance.

• The drink benefits enormously from a deeply chilled coupe.

Variations & Lineage

• Bourbon + Mezcal Paper Plane: Smokier, darker

• Bourbon + Brandy Paper Plane: Rich, silky, grape-forward

• Paper Plane Highball: Top with soda for an ultra-refreshing version

• Jungle Plane: Split bourbon with aged rum

• Paper Crane: A saké-inspired riff

• Nonino Spike: Add a ¼ oz extra for more herbal depth

Service & Pairing Tip

• Pairs beautifully with charcuterie, citrusy salads, fried chicken, grilled stone fruit, creamy cheeses, and salty snacks.

• Ideal as a welcome cocktail or first-course drink.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

A Benchmark for Modern Sours

The split-base Paper Plane is now taught in advanced mixology classes as an example of how to:

• Expand a base without ruining structure

• Layer spirits to highlight aromatics

• Modify a modern classic responsibly

• Elevate a drink through balance, not gimmicks

The Legacy

The Paper Plane will remain a modern classic—both in its original form and its split-base evolution—because it represents everything contemporary cocktail culture values:

• Precision

• Approachability

• Balance

• Modern bitterness

• Creativity within structure

The split-base version doesn’t replace the original—it completes it.