The Tequila Plane swaps the Paper Plane's bourbon for reposado tequila. The Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon stay; the tequila adds an earthy, peppery, vegetal dimension that drinkers tend either to love or to question.
The Paper Plane, rerouted through agave.
Agave in an Equal-Part Frame
The Paper Plane's equal-part structure is forgiving enough to take almost any base. Reposado tequila — lightly oaked, brightly agave-forward — slots in and changes the drink's accent: where bourbon gave vanilla and corn-sweetness, tequila gives earth and pepper.
A Polarising Pour
The Tequila Plane divides opinion, and honestly so. Agave's vegetal character against Aperol's orange and Nonino's bitterness is a bolder, less comfortable combination than the original. For some drinkers, that is the appeal entirely.
Reposado, Not Blanco
Reposado is the right call. Blanco tequila reads too sharp and raw against the bitters; añejo brings too much oak. Reposado's few months in barrel give just enough roundness to sit comfortably in the equal-part balance.
The Paper Plane Family
Four equal parts — bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon, shaken and served up.
- 3/4 ozBourbon
- 3/4 ozAperol
- 3/4 ozAmaro Nonino
Equal parts mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Amaro Nonino, and lemon — smoky and herbal.
- 3/4 ozMezcal
- 3/4 ozYellow Chartreuse
- 3/4 ozAmaro Nonino
Campari for the Aperol — a bittersweet, savoury Paper Plane for the cold months.
- 3/4 ozBourbon
- 3/4 ozCampari
- 3/4 ozAmaro Nonino
Aged agricole rum for the bourbon — grassy depth that bridges the amaro.
- 3/4 ozAged agricole rum
- 3/4 ozAperol
- 3/4 ozAmaro Nonino