These Italian Recipes Will Make You Feel Like You're Having a 'Night Out' in Italy (Video)

If you’re like me, staying at home is hard — especially during the weekends when we’d usually be out enjoying the warmer weather. At this time of year, you’d usually find me sipping cocktails at a New York City rooftop bar. But now, as we work to stop the spread of the coronavirus, it’s time to figure out new ways to enjoy your favorite cocktails.

How about taking a virtual trip to Italy to enjoy a classic Aperol Spritz and pizza?

Escape your normal life with a special Italian-themed night with a little help from our friends at Aperol and Eataly. Below you’ll find the recipe for crafting the perfect Aperol Spritz — trust me, I’ve tried many — and instructions for making a restaurant-worthy pizza at home.

And to make the night even more special, why not take it a step further by tossing up a stunning aerial video of Cinque Terre or Rome, Florence, and Venice to really transport you there. Or maybe just set the mood with some traditional Italian music or the “Call Me By Your Name” soundtrack.

If you’re at home with your partner, consider this the perfect date night. If your significant other isn’t so close right now, download this stunning photo of Positano — free from photographer Gray Malin — and use it as a Zoom background for a little virtual date. Or make it a family affair and finally take your mom on that European “vacation” she’s been longing for.

However you do it, just make sure to add in a dash of fresh air to really maximize the moment; crack open a window for a slight breeze, toss down a blanket on your balcony, or just sit down in the yard with one hand grounded to the earth, the other tied to your sunset-colored spritz. You deserve it. Saluti!

How to Make an Aperol Spritz

Ingredients:

• Ice cubes
• Chilled Prosecco
• Aperol
• Soda, served from syphon or chilled bottle
• Slice of orange

Instructions:

In a glass full of ice, combine Prosecco followed by Aperol in equal parts. Add a splash of soda and garnish with an orange slice.

How to Make Eataly’s Impasto per la Pizza (Pizza Dough)

Yield: 4 (12-inch) pizzas

Ingredients:

• 400 grams (400 milliliters) room-temperature water
• 650 grams (5 cups) type 00 flour
• 15 grams (1½ tablespoons) fresh yeast
• 25 grams (1½ tablespoons) salt
• Extra virgin olive oil, as needed

Directions:

1. Pour the water and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer, and mix on high for 1 minute. Crumble the fresh yeast into the liquid, and let it mix for another 60-90 seconds. Turn the mixer down to medium, and slowly add the flour. Finally, let the dough mix on a medium to low setting for 11-14 minutes
2. With floured hands, take the dough out of the mixer, and place it into a lightly-floured bowl. Form the dough into a ball, cover the bowl, and let it sit for 45-60 minutes
3. With floured hands, remove the dough, and break it into 250-gram pieces (about ¼ of the dough each). Using your hands, roll the pieces of dough into round balls. Cover the balls of dough and let them rise for another 45-60 minutes
4. When the dough has risen, oil 4 (12-inch) baking pans
5. Dust the dough with flour, and begin to knead it open with your hands. While opening the dough, be sure to leave the outermost inch untouched to ensure a nice and airy “cornicione,” or crust
6. Lay the opened dough out in the baking pan. You now have the base for your pizza!

Then, it’s up to you to top your pizza however you see fit. But if you’re asking me, the more cheese the merrier. You can also browse Eataly's La Pizza & La Pasta menu for some inspiration.

Or Just Get It All Delivered

If making your own pizza seems overwhelming (or if you just don’t want to deal with the dishes), you could also just have everything delivered in. And luckily, if you live in NYC, LA, or Chicago, you can have Eataly deliver everything above straight to your home. Eataly is currently delivering pizza and Aperol Spritz kits, complete with everything you need to make the perfect version at home, for $45 on Caviar. Pair the kit with a quattro formaggi pizza, the video and music above, and hey, you might just start speaking Italian.