Melissa Maggiore Meyer
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By Melissa Maggiore Meyer | The Italian Daughter
Many of us want to experience summer in Italy like those going viral on social media. On TikTok alone, there are over 1 billion views under the hashtag #EuropeanSummer.
If you’re not planning on leaving Arizona anytime soon, you can still embrace an Italian mindset — romanticize the ordinary, indulge in delicious food and enjoy the company of others. You don’t have to travel across the ocean to live La Dolce Vita.
Here are a few tips to have a Euro summer even if you don’t have any travel plans:
Try a new recipe
Get a taste of Europe by making an authentic dish from scratch. Homemade pasta is a perfect pick, with endless options from gnocchi and fettuccine to ravioli and tortellini. Not only is it delicious, but also fun! You can knead, roll and shape the dough to make your preferred pasta.
Craft a cocktail
No Italian evening is complete without a refreshing cocktail. With only a few simple ingredients, like Prosecco, Aperol or Limoncello, and a splash of soda, you can create a beverage that embodies summer on the Amalfi Coast.
Visit a local restaurant
For an authentic dining experience, visit your a local Italian restaurant. Look for a menu that features a wide variety of Italian cuisine, ranging from stone-fired pizza to homemade pasta made with the freshest ingredients imported straight from Italy.
Enjoy an Aperitivo
In true Italian fashion, unwind with an aperitivo, a pre-dinner drink designed to stimulate one’s appetite. Popular aperitivo options include a Negroni or a Campari Spritz. Sipping on a cocktail and grazing on a charcuterie board before dinner is a practice most will love adopting into everyday life.
Host a dinner party
The most integral part of Italian culture is enjoying the company of others. Dinner is not just a meal, it’s a cherished tradition. Set aside time this summer to host your family and friends for a dinner party.
With these ideas, you don’t have to fly across the Atlantic to enjoy a summer filled with good food and great friends!
Editor’s note: Melissa Maggiore Meyer founded The Italian Daughter in Scottsdale to honor her late father and continue his legacy. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
