The Paper Plane
The TreasurerWith certain amendments
The Paper Plane was created by Sam Ross at New York's Milk & Honey in 2007. It is the rare modern classic that achieves genuine balance through absolute equality — equal parts, all four, no adjustments. The Treasurer's relationship with the original recipe is one of deep respect and specific disagreement.
Ingredients
- ¾ oz
Straight bourbon
Minimum 90 proof, from a single barrel selected personally on two separate trips to Kentucky.
- ¾ oz
Campari
In place of Aperol — he prefers the bitterness to run forward rather than hide behind the orange.
- ¾ oz
Amaro dell'Etna
Produced from herbs grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. He maintains the minerality introduces a ledger-like precision that Nonino cannot provide.
- ¾ oz
Fresh lemon juice
A half-bar-spoon of aged grappa, floated on top — a concession to imprecision that he introduced privately and will not acknowledge publicly. The Secretary has witnessed it.
Method
Shake vigorously over ice.
Strain into a chilled coupe.
No garnish. Equal parts means equal parts. He has measured.
"The original recipe is a masterpiece of accounting. Every ingredient in its proper proportion, nothing hidden, nothing outstanding. I have made two amendments. They are documented. The result is more accurate." — The Treasurer, at the 2015 Recitation.