It was a Tuesday afternoon, with a prediction of 3-5 inches of snow hitting the following day, when I decided to pour myself a drink.
Correction: I decided to pour myself 2 drinks. Two double drinks. You know, for the sake of photography. (Photographer logic: 2 is better than 1. Actually, 3 is better than 2, but let’s not go crazy.)

We all know what happened next…
For the first time in the history of my children’s school, there was no cancellation. Not even a tiny little delay. It was a total damned if you do, damned if you don’t occurrence. On one hand, I got rid of my kids for 7 hours the next day, but the struggle to get up and out was so very, very real.
But like, it was so worth it.

The paper plane is my go-to cocktail of choice at home. Seriously, it’s all I make; I actually really need to branch out. But after making that beautiful winter citrus salad last week, I had a lot of leftover blood orange. What happened next was destiny.
No, I haven’t reinvented the wheel, I can assure you of that. But this classic — usually made with fresh lemon juice — is the perfect vehicle for highlighting whichever citrus is currently in season. Blood orange, you are as beautiful to look at as you are mixed with bourbon, aperol, and amaro. I truly mean that.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for the next snow day!
If you make this Blood Orange Paper Plane recipe, please let us know by leaving a review and rating below!
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More cocktail recipes we love:
- Classic paper plane cocktail
- Pomegranate tequila cosmo
- Cranberry gin shaker
- Bloody Mary bar
- French 75
Blood Orange Paper Plane Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 oz bourbon such as Four Roses
- 3 oz aperol
- 3 oz amaro nonino
- 3 oz fresh blood orange juice
- blood orange slices or segments (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in bourbon, aperol, amaro nonino, and freshly squeezed blood orange juice. Place top on and shake for about 1 minute. Pour over a large ice cube, garnish with blood orange, and enjoy!
Let us know your thoughts!