This Low ABV Cocktail is a lighter take on one of our favorite drinks to order out – the Paper Plane. Made with fresh grapefruit juice, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice, it’s bright, bittersweet, citrusy, and still full of flavor without as much alcohol as the classic.

If you love low-alcohol drinks, check out my Barely Buzzed cocktail collection for more flavorful cocktails made for sipping without a full-strength pour.

Vibrant orange cocktail with dried citrus slice garnish on a wooden table.

Quick Look: Low ABV Paper Plane Cocktail (Soft Landing Recipe)

  • ⏱ Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
  • 🍽️ Servings: 1 cocktail
  • 🍊 Flavor Profile: Bright, citrusy, bittersweet, lightly herbal
  • 👌 Difficulty: Easy, perfect for happy hour, dinner parties, and casual sipping

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I love a good Paper Plane when we’re out, so I wanted to create a version that I could enjoy when I’m in the mood for something a little lighter and easygoing. The grapefruit makes this one extra bright and refreshing, and I love how it still has that slightly bitter, complex flavor that makes the original so good. It’s exactly the kind of cocktail I want for a slow happy hour, dinner with friends, or whenever I want a drink to sip without quite as much of a buzz. I’m excited to add this recipe to my Barely Buzzed series, which features mindful alternatives to classic, high-proof modern cocktails.

✈️ Fun fact: The Soft Landing cocktail gets its name as an aviation-themed pun playing on the original Paper Plane cocktail, but with a literal twist: because it removes the heavy high-proof bourbon base, it provides a lower-alcohol, gentler buzz (a “soft landing”).

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • 🍊 Bright and citrusy: Fresh grapefruit and lemon juice give this cocktail plenty of juicy citrus flavor – natural acidity and subtle bitterness. 
  • 🥃 A lighter take on a favorite: It has the bittersweet, complex flavor you love in a Paper Plane but uses less alcohol overall.
  • 🍸 Easy to make: Everything goes straight into a cocktail shaker, so you can have a polished drink ready in about 5 minutes.
  • ✨ Perfect for happy hour: It’s a great option when you want something flavorful to sip without a full-strength cocktail.
  • 🌿 Complex without being complicated: Aperol and Amaro Nonino add bittersweet and herbal notes without requiring a long ingredient list.

Key Ingredients

See the recipe card for quantities.

  • Fresh grapefruit juice: The star of this lower-ABV riff, adding bright, juicy citrus flavor and balancing the bitterness of the liqueurs. Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice will give you the best flavor. 
  • Amaro Nonino: A smooth, herbal Italian amaro that brings complexity and a subtle bittersweet finish.
  • Aperol: Adds the signature bittersweet orange notes and beautiful color while keeping the cocktail approachable.
  • Fresh lemon juice: Adds acidity and keeps the grapefruit and liqueurs tasting bright rather than overly sweet.
  • Sea salt: Just a tiny pinch helps round out the citrus and bring all of the flavors together.

🍊 Expert tip: Fresh citrus makes a big difference in a simple cocktail like this. I recommend squeezing the grapefruit and lemon right before mixing.

Vibrant orange cocktail in tall glass with dried citrus slice garnish on a wooden table.

Substitutions & Variations

  • Try a different grapefruit: Pink or ruby red grapefruit both work well here. Ruby red grapefruit will typically give you a slightly sweeter, fruitier drink. Or if you’d prefer bottled juice, R.W. Knudsen Organic 100% Grapefruit is a good option. 
  • Use another amaro: If you don’t have Amaro Nonino, you can experiment with another lighter, citrus-forward amaro (Montenegro or Averna), though the flavor profile and color will slightly change.
  • Make it a little more tart: Add a small extra squeeze of lemon juice if you prefer a sharper, more citrus-forward cocktail.
  • Turn it into a mocktail: For a completely alcohol-free option, try my Grapefruit Rose Mocktail Spritz.
  • Want the original? If you’re looking for the traditional version, try my Paper Plane Cocktail.

How to Make Low ABV Paper Plane Cocktail

Step 1: Add everything to a cocktail shaker

Add fresh grapefruit juice, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, lemon juice, a pinch of sea salt, and ice to a glass cocktail shaker.

Step 2: Shake until chilled

Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. You want the cocktail thoroughly chilled and well combined.

Step 3: Strain and garnish

Strain into a chilled coupe cocktail glass. Garnish with a dehydrated grapefruit slice if desired (I love the brand DEHY).

🍸 Serving tip: Chilling the coupe beforehand makes this simple cocktail feel extra special. Pop the glass in the freezer while you prep the ingredients.

Watch How to Make this Recipe

Carolyn’s Tips for Making Low ABV Paper Plane Cocktail

  • Use fresh grapefruit and lemon juice: Since citrus makes up a significant portion of the drink, fresh or 100% juice will give you a much brighter flavor.
  • Chill your glass ahead of time: A cold coupe keeps this citrus-forward cocktail refreshing from the first sip to the last.

Low ABV Paper Plane Cocktail FAQs

What is a low ABV cocktail?

A low Alcohol by Volume (percentage of alcohol in a beverage) cocktail is a mixed drink made with less alcohol than a typical full-strength cocktail. This can be achieved by using smaller amounts of spirits, incorporating lower-proof liqueurs, or adding ingredients like fresh juice, soda water, or other non-alcoholic mixers. The final ABV of a cocktail depends on the proof and amount of each alcoholic ingredient as well as dilution from ice and any non-alcoholic mixers.

Is a Paper Plane cocktail a low ABV cocktail?

A traditional Paper Plane is not typically considered a low ABV cocktail because it contains equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice. This Soft Landing recipe is a lower-alcohol riff that replaces the bourbon with fresh grapefruit juice, making it a lighter alternative while keeping the bittersweet citrus character of the original.

What are the best low ABV cocktails?

Some popular low ABV cocktail styles include spritzes, shandies, vermouth-forward cocktails, amaro cocktails, and drinks made with a combination of liqueurs and fresh juice. 

Can I make a Soft Landing without Amaro Nonino?

Yes, you can make a variation without Amaro Nonino by swapping it with another herbal or orange liqueur, sweet vermouth, or a dash of bitters. However, I recommend tasting the drink after shaking and before serving if you are swapping the amaro.

More Low and No Alcohol Cocktails to Try

⭐ If you loved this recipe, I would SO appreciate it if you would give this recipe a star review below. Also, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me @thesocialsipper!

Vibrant orange cocktail in tall glass with dried citrus slice garnish on a wooden table.
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Low ABV Paper Plane Cocktail (Soft Landing Recipe)

Servings: 1
Prep: 5 minutes
This Low ABV Cocktail is a lighter take on one of our favorite drinks to order out – the Paper Plane. Made with fresh grapefruit juice, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice, it’s bright, bittersweet, citrusy, and still full of flavor without as much alcohol as the classic.
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 1/2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 oz Amaro Nonino
  • 1/2 oz Aperol
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • Pinch sea salt
  • Dehydrated grapefruit, for garnish

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • To a cocktail shaker – Add grapefruit juice, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, lemon juice, sea salt and ice. Shake for 20 seconds, until well chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled coupe glass. If desired, garnish with a dehydrated grapefruit slice.

Notes

  • Use fresh grapefruit and lemon juice: Since citrus makes up a significant portion of the drink, fresh or 100% juice will give you a much brighter flavor.
  • Chill your glass ahead of time: A cold coupe keeps this citrus-forward cocktail refreshing from the first sip to the last.
Did you Make this Recipe?Let me know what you think in the comments below, or tag @thesocialsipper on Instagram!