Absolut Paper Plane

The Absolut Paper Plane is a cocktail invented in 2024 by Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador. It is a twist on the Paper Plane cocktail but uses Absolut Vodka instead of bourbon. Not only that, Rico then also clarifies the drink. 

Cocktail clarification is a process that removes solids and impurities, often using milk washing, resulting in a clear liquid with enhanced texture and flavor, while preserving the drink’s essence.

“Bourbon brings a lot to the original Paper Plane. However, the Absolut Paper Plane is going more towards a Negroni type of flavor as opposed to a Paper Plane type of flavor but it’s a very accessible version,” says Rico.

“I don’t really think it’s a Paper Plane but it’s definitely a drink I’m going to make again in the future,” he continues.

In the summer of 2024, Rico made a clarified version of the Paper Plane cocktail for an episode of ‘Absolut Drinks with Rico’ and, as always, he wanted to see if he could make the cocktail with Vodka instead of Bourbon. 

And just like that, the Absolut Paper Plane took off!

• Put the mixture in the refrigerator overnight
  We highly recommend refrigerating the mixture overnight or, at the very least, a few hours before serving so that the mixture can clarify properly.“We’re not going to win any beauty pageants with this drink (mixture) but when the drink starts to curdle you can really see the separation and this is where the fat solids separate from the Whey and it’s the whey within the drink which actually gives it that smooth luxurious texture and makes it extremely palatable,” says Rico.

  Remember, good things happen to those who wait!

• Always use Fresh Lemon Juice
  We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve emphasized this, but to achieve the same quality as bar-served drinks, freshly squeezed Lemon Juice is essential. So, grab your Citrus Press, pick up some fresh Lemons, and start juicing!
• Chill your Rocks Glass
  Pre-chilling your glassware in a freezer before you serve your drink is always a good idea and enhances the overall drinking experience. Sometimes it’s those little details that make all the difference.

• Paper Plane
  The Absolut Paper Plane wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the Paper Plane, so you gotta give credit to the original. A Paper Plane consists of equal parts Bourbon, Amaro, Italian Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur, and freshly squeezed Lemon Juice. The mixture is then shaken with Ice and fine-strained into a Coupe Glass.
• Clarified Paper Plane
  The clarified Paper Plane is exactly what it sounds like – a Paper Plane cocktail that uses the process of clarification (see the FAQ below).The clarified Paper Plane follows the same recipe as this Absolut Paper Plane recipe but stays true to the original by using Bourbon instead of Absolut Vodka. The result is a silky, clarified version of the original Paper Plane that’s so smooth, it’s like flying first class.

• For this Paper Plane variation, Rico recommends serving it in a Rocks Glass with a Large Ice Cube. 
• To garnish, a slice of Orange Zest is perfect.

Cocktail clarification is a technique used to enhance cocktails by removing impurities and unwanted particles. This process results in a smoother, clearer, and more refined drink. It’s time-consuming but the final result is worth it.

One popular method of cocktail clarification is milk-washing, which is what Rico does to create the clarified Paper Plane and Absolut Paper Plane. As you see in the video, milk-washing involves adding Full-Fat Milk to a cocktail mixture containing acidic components such as citrus juice. The acid in the cocktail causes the Milk to curdle, forming Curds and Whey.

The Curds trap impurities and particles, which can then be strained out, leaving behind a clarified liquid. The end result is a cocktail with a silky texture and a more balanced flavor profile.

You can but it might take some experimenting before you find the right one.

The key is to find a Plant-Based Milk with a fat content like Regular Milk. Try using different Plant-Based Milks (e.g. Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Oat Milk etc.) to find out which one works best.

Approximately, six months.

“Once you’ve done your curdling and actually clarified your drink and strained it, this drink (Absolut Paper Plane) will last up to six months in your fridge,” says Rico.

We recommend using the orange-red colored Italian Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur that’s commonly used in Italian spritzers.