The Paper Plane is a modern classic built on one elegant rule: equal parts of everything. Whiskey, Aperol, amaro, lemon juice — ¾ oz each. The non-alcoholic version keeps the same ratio and the same balance.
What You Need
- ¾ oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- ¾ oz non-alcoholic Aperol alternative (Lyre's Aperitif Spritz or a splash of blood orange juice with bitters)
- ¾ oz non-alcoholic amaro alternative (Ghia or Aplós)
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- Coupe glass, chilled
How to Make It
- Chill your coupe by filling it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
- Combine all four ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12 seconds.
- Discard the ice water from the coupe. Double strain into the chilled glass.
No garnish. The Paper Plane is served straight up with nothing in the glass.
The Equal Parts Rule
¾ oz of each ingredient. That's it. The Paper Plane was designed around this ratio — it's what makes the drink work. The whiskey provides the backbone, the Aperol brings bittersweet orange, the amaro adds herbal depth, and the lemon ties it together with acid. Change the ratio and you change the balance.
Finding the NA Substitutes
Lyre's Aperitif Spritz is the closest non-alcoholic Aperol substitute — it has the orange and slightly bitter profile. For the amaro, Ghia and Aplós are the best NA bitter aperitifs currently available. If you can't find either, a combination of orange bitters (All the Bitter makes a great non-alcoholic version) and a small amount of simple syrup gets you close.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Paper Plane taste like?
Citrusy, slightly bitter, well-balanced. It's bright and complex without being difficult — the equal parts ratio ensures no single ingredient dominates. It's more interesting than a Whiskey Sour but equally approachable.
Do I need a coupe glass?
It's traditional but not required. Any stemmed glass works. The point of serving it up (no ice) is that the drink stays cold without diluting further. Don't serve it over ice — it changes the balance.
Why is it called the Paper Plane?
Named after the M.I.A. song. Created by Sam Ross at Milk & Honey in New York around 2008. It became one of the most influential cocktail recipes of the last two decades.
Equal parts. Perfect balance.
No. 86 at the center of one of the best modern cocktails — without the alcohol.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.