Broken Plane

What is Broken Plane?

The Broken Plane is a modern riff on the Paper Plane, itself a celebrated equal-parts cocktail created by bartender Sam Ross around 2007 at Milk & Honey in New York City. The Paper Plane — equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice — became one of the most influential cocktail templates of the 2010s precisely because its equal-parts structure made it easy to remember and endlessly adaptable. The Broken Plane replaces the bourbon with gin and the Aperol with St-Germain elderflower liqueur, producing a drink that shares the original's citrus-driven, bittersweet character but takes it in a more floral, botanical direction. It gained significant traction on social media in 2024 and 2025, ranking among the most searched new cocktails of the year, driven largely by its striking pale golden color and the surprise of tasting something that reads as almost grapefruity despite containing no grapefruit whatsoever.

If you enjoy balanced, citrus-forward cocktails like the Paper Plane, this one deserves a permanent spot in your rotation. The Broken Plane is ideal for spring evenings, upscale gatherings, or honestly… those moments when you just want something that tastes like it was crafted by someone wearing a vest and suspender combo.

Taste Profile

The Broken Plane is one of those cocktails that is harder to describe than it is to enjoy. The dominant impression is bright and citrus-forward from the lemon juice, but the St-Germain adds a distinctive floral sweetness — lychee, pear, and white flowers — that lifts the drink into more aromatic territory than a standard sour. Amaro Nonino contributes a gentle bittersweet complexity with herbal and grappa-like undertones that deepen the mid-palate and give the finish length and warmth. Gin ties everything together with its botanical backbone, adding juniper and a clean dryness that prevents the floral elements from tipping into sweetness. The overall balance is sophisticated and refreshing in equal measure — complex enough to reward attention, smooth enough to disappear quickly.

Serving Suggestions

Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice — the bright acidity is load-bearing in this cocktail and bottled juice will flatten it noticeably. Shake hard for a full 15 seconds to achieve proper dilution and the light frothy texture that gives the drink its characteristic pale haze. Strain into a well-chilled coupe glass; the wide bowl allows the floral aromas from the St-Germain to open up as you drink. A lemon twist expressed over the surface and rested on the rim adds a final citrus oil note that ties the aromatics together beautifully. For the gin, a London dry style works best — something too floral or heavily botanical can compete with the St-Germain rather than complement it. Hendrick's or Tanqueray are reliable choices that let the elderflower lead.

Why You'll Love It?

Ingredients for Broken Plane

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Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake vigorously for about 10–15 seconds until well chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, and garnish with a lemon twist if desired.