Key takeaways
- 45 ml bourbon
- 15 ml Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
- 15 ml Aperol
- 22.5 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice for shaking
- Optional garnish: expressed lemon peel
The classic broken plane cocktail recipe uses 45 ml bourbon, 15 ml Amaro Nonino, 15 ml Aperol, and 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled coupe.
Broken Plane Cocktail Recipe
This modern classic balances bourbon’s vanilla and oak with Amaro Nonino’s bittersweet herbal character, Aperol’s orange-like bitterness, and bright lemon. The drink is usually served without ice in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass, making accurate dilution and chilling especially important.
Ingredients
- 45 ml bourbon
- 15 ml Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
- 15 ml Aperol
- 22.5 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice for shaking
- Optional garnish: expressed lemon peel
The 2:1:1 ratio of bourbon to the two liqueurs, paired with 1.5 parts lemon juice, gives the drink its recognizable structure. In US measurements, use 1.5 oz bourbon, 0.5 oz Amaro Nonino, 0.5 oz Aperol, and 0.75 oz lemon juice.
How to Make a Broken Plane
- Chill the glass. Place a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer, or fill it with ice and cold water while you prepare the drink.
- Measure the ingredients. Add the bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker. Measuring each ingredient matters because even a 7.5 ml change is noticeable in a short, spirit-forward drink.
- Add plenty of ice. Use solid, cold cubes rather than a small handful of cracked or rapidly melting ice.
- Shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds. The goal is to chill the drink, blend the citrus and spirits, and add a controlled amount of water.
- Strain immediately. Empty the ice water from the serving glass, then double-strain through the shaker’s strainer and a fine sieve if you want an especially smooth texture.
- Garnish and serve. Express a thin lemon peel over the surface, rub it around the rim, and discard or place it on the edge of the glass.
What Bourbon Works Best?
Choose a bourbon with enough flavor to stand up to citrus and amaro, but avoid an aggressively woody or high-proof bottle unless you intend to make a stronger drink. A bourbon around 90 to 101 proof is the most flexible range.
| Bourbon style | Examples | Effect in the drink | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced, moderate proof | Buffalo Trace; Four Roses Small Batch | Round vanilla, fruit, and gentle spice | The closest all-purpose starting point |
| Wheated bourbon | Maker’s Mark | Softer, sweeter, and less peppery | Drinkers who find lemon and bitterness sharp |
| High-rye bourbon | Four Roses Small Batch; Bulleit Bourbon | More pepper, mint, and dry spice | A brighter, more assertive cocktail |
| Higher-proof bourbon | Wild Turkey 101 | More oak, heat, and lasting bourbon flavor | Drinkers who prefer a stronger finish |
Four Roses Small Batch is a particularly versatile choice because its fruit and spice can support both the lemon and the bitter elements. Maker’s Mark makes a rounder version, while Wild Turkey 101 creates a more forceful drink. If using a bourbon above 100 proof, keep the measurements the same at first and shake thoroughly; increasing the lemon or liqueurs is usually less effective than controlling dilution.
Choosing the Amaro
Amaro Nonino is the defining choice because it is lighter and more polished than many darker amaros, with notes that can include orange peel, herbs, spice, and dried fruit. It keeps the cocktail aromatic rather than syrupy.
| Amaro choice | Use | Suggested adjustment | Expected result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaro Nonino | Classic recipe | 15 ml | Delicate herbs, dried fruit, and a clean bitter finish |
| Amaro Montenegro | Softer substitute | 15 ml; reduce lemon to 20 ml if desired | More floral, orange-like, and approachable |
| Averna | Darker substitute | 15 ml; consider 7.5 ml simple syrup | Richer caramel, cola spice, and deeper bitterness |
Substituting a dark, intensely bitter amaro at a one-to-one ratio can overwhelm the bourbon. If the replacement tastes heavy when sampled alone, start with 10 ml rather than 15 ml and let the bourbon remain the dominant flavor.
Flavor Adjustments That Actually Work
Make one adjustment at a time. The drink contains only four measured ingredients, so small changes have a large effect.
- Too sour: Reduce lemon juice to 15 or 20 ml, or add 5 ml of rich simple syrup. Reducing the acid preserves the drink’s dry character; adding syrup makes it rounder and sweeter.
- Too sweet: Increase lemon juice by 2.5 to 5 ml or use a drier, higher-rye bourbon. Do not simply add more bourbon, which raises the alcohol without restoring balance.
- Too bitter: Replace part of the Amaro Nonino with bourbon, using 10 ml amaro and 20 ml bourbon. You can also use Amaro Montenegro for a gentler profile.
- Too strong or hot: Shake for a few seconds longer with fresh ice, or add 5 ml water before shaking. The extra water mimics additional dilution without changing the ratio of flavors.
- Too flat: Use lemon juice squeezed immediately before mixing and express a fresh lemon peel over the finished drink. Old citrus loses aroma even when it still tastes acidic.
- Not aromatic enough: Try a lemon twist rather than a wedge. The peel’s oils provide more fragrance without adding extra acidity.
Why the Measurements Matter
The combined liquid before dilution is 97.5 ml: 45 ml bourbon, 15 ml Amaro Nonino, 15 ml Aperol, and 22.5 ml lemon juice. A typical hard shake adds approximately 20 to 30 ml of meltwater, producing roughly 118 to 128 ml in the glass. That dilution is not a defect; it softens the bourbon and integrates the citrus.
| Component | Volume | Approximate role |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | 45 ml | Body, oak, vanilla, spice |
| Amaro | 15 ml | Herbal depth and bitterness |
| Aperol | 15 ml | Bright orange bitterness and color |
| Lemon juice | 22.5 ml | Acidity and lift |
| Expected shake dilution | 20–30 ml | Chilling and alcohol softening |
Garnish and Glassware Guidance
A lemon twist is the most useful garnish because it reinforces the lemon already in the recipe without adding sweetness. Cut a strip of peel with as little white pith as possible, hold it skin-side down over the drink, and squeeze it once to release the oils.
Serve the cocktail in a coupe or Nick & Nora glass. A rocks glass with one large cube is also suitable if you prefer a slower, colder drink, but the ice will continue diluting it. If using a rocks glass, stir the finished cocktail briefly over ice rather than shaking it for a shorter time.
Quick Decision Guide
- For the classic profile: use Amaro Nonino, Aperol, a balanced 90-proof bourbon, and 22.5 ml lemon.
- For a softer version: use Maker’s Mark, Amaro Montenegro, and 20 ml lemon.
- For a spicier version: use a high-rye bourbon and keep the full 22.5 ml lemon.
- For a darker after-dinner version: use Averna, reduce it to 10–12.5 ml, and add 5 ml rich simple syrup only if needed.
Serve the Broken Plane immediately after straining, while its citrus aroma, chilled texture, and carefully controlled dilution are at their best. As with any alcoholic drink, enjoy it responsibly.
