It's my birthday this weekend. While planning the itinerary for our trip to the beach, my brother suggested I come up with a drink for the occasion.

After dismissing the idea at first, I think it’s a good one. A group of us are renting out a condo, so having a cool cocktail for everybody to enjoy would be fun — and possible, since we’ll have a full kitchen. We’ve already discussed bringing your taste buds along when you visit new places, after all.

I wanted the drink to be beachy, but not sugary; something you could sip by the pool, but also during the pregame for a night out. I have a plan.

Say hello to Campari. This apéritif has been around since our grandparents’ grandparents. Invented in 1860, Campari is loaded with herb and fruit flavors, and it’s one spirit that simply has no substitute.

One of the most popular cocktails to take advantage of the apéritif? The Negroni. With Campari, gin and sweet vermouth, this may be where you want to start your tour of the beautiful red spirit. But, we’re going to the beach, which means we're incorporating tequila into this week’s drink.

Tequila pairs really well with the fruity, floral flavors of Campari, giving our recipe the beachy feel we’re looking for. If you’re worried about the potency, add a little splash of soda water. Then, balance it all out with a few dashes of orange bitters and a little simple syrup for a cocktail worthy of a birthday, or Sunday lounging by the pool.

Tequila Negroni

Makes 1

1 ounce tequila

1 ounce sweet vermouth

3/4 ounces Campari

2-3 dashes orange bitters

.5 ounce simple syrup

Orange wedge, for garnish

Fill a cocktail glass with ice and add all ingredients. Stir briskly until the ingredients are mixed and chilled. Garnish with an orange (or grapefruit) wedge.

Follow @cfasick on Twitter, or email him at cdfasick@gmail.com if there's a cocktail or recipe you'd like featured.

This article appears in Jul 7-14, 2016.