Equal Parts
A cocktail template where all main ingredients are used in the same proportion, typically 3/4 oz each. Classic examples include the Last Word, Paper Plane, and Naked and Famous.
The equal-parts template represents one of the most elegant and memorable formulas in cocktail construction. By using identical measurements for each main ingredient, these drinks achieve balance through symmetry and are easy to remember and scale. Equal-parts cocktails typically use 3/4 oz of each main component, resulting in drinks around 3 oz before dilution. This standardized approach creates inherent balance - no single ingredient dominates, and the interplay between components defines the drink character. The most famous equal-parts cocktails share this DNA: The Last Word (gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino, lime), the Paper Plane (bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon), and the Naked and Famous (mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, lime). The formula succeeds because it forces ingredient selection that can stand as equals. You cannot hide a harsh spirit behind heavy sweetener - everything must carry its weight. This constraint produces elegant drinks where each sip reveals different aspects of each component. The Last Word originated in Detroit during Prohibition and remained obscure until Murray Stenson revived it at Seattle Zig Zag Cafe in 2004. Its combination of botanical gin, herbal Chartreuse, cherry maraschino, and tart lime juice demonstrates perfect equal-parts balance. The Paper Plane, created by Sam Ross at Milk and Honey in 2007, brought the template into modern craft cocktails. Bourbon provides backbone, Aperol adds bitter-sweet citrus, Amaro Nonino contributes herbal complexity, and lemon brightens everything. The template invites experimentation. Start with: one base spirit, one bitter or herbal liqueur, one sweeter liqueur, and one citrus juice. Consider flavor profiles that complement each other at equal intensity.
💡 Pro Tips
- 3/4 oz of each ingredient is the standard measure
- The formula makes drinks easy to remember and batch
- All ingredients must be able to stand as equals in the glass
- Use as a template for creating your own balanced cocktails
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using ingredients with mismatched intensity levels
- Forgetting that 3/4 oz four times still makes a potent drink
- Not adjusting when an ingredient is particularly sweet or bitter
- Assuming all equal-parts drinks taste similar - they vary widely