WATCH: Rico makes a clarified Paper Plane cocktail!

In 2025, Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador, sets his ambitions sky-high and jets out into the clouds to make a clarified version of a Paper Plane cocktail.   

That’s right, fasten your seatbelts, Rico takes the Paper Plane cocktail to new heights by creating a silky, clarified version of the drink that’s so smooth, it’s practically flying first class! 

In this episode of Absolut Drinks with Rico, Rico shows you how to make a batch of clarified Paper Plane cocktails, resulting in just under 1 liter (32 oz). In other words, you’ll have enough for the entire cabin and crew!  

What Does a Clarified Paper Plane Cocktail Taste Like? 

The Paper Plane is an equal parts cocktail made with Bourbon, Amaro (made from Grappa) and a red-orange Italian Bitter Aperitivo Liqueur. 

But Rico makes a clarified version of the Paper Plane cocktail. And the result? “Smooth, chocolate-y, orange-y with all that flavor coming from the Amaro,” shares Rico.

Sounds delicious, right? 

But What is a Clarified Cocktail?  

Ah, ha! Yes. 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.  

One popular method of cocktail clarification is milk-washing, which you might remember seeing Rico do when he created Warhol’s Milk Punch, a cocktail especially created for the launch of the 2024 limited edition Absolut Warhol bottle.  

Absolut Warhol is, of course, the celebration of two icons: Andy Warhol and Absolut Vodka. Anyhow, back to the question. 

Milk-washing involves adding Full-Fat Milk to a cocktail mixture that contains 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.  

This is what Rico does to create the clarified Paper Plane. Oh, and when you’re making this drink, we recommend you let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight before serving it. 

“Can you make a Paper Plane with Vodka?” 

That’s the question Rico asked himself.  

After making the clarified Paper Plane for Absolut Drinks with Rico, Rico swaps out the Bourbon and replaces it with Absolut Vodka to create a new concoction now known as the Absolut Paper Plane.  

But will the clarified Paper Plane soar with Vodka? Watch and find it!

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