For National Margarita Day, make the drink exactly how you like it

For some Texans, Feb. 22 is the most important day of the year: National Margarita Day. That classic concoction of tequila, lime or lemon juice, and an orange liqueur like triple sec — with salt on the rim of the glass, of course — is a drink as beloved in Texas (and many other states) as the other Mexican beverage Topo Chico. (Our love for that sparkling water is a story for another day.)

Here are a couple of margarita recipes that will satisfy your craving on the most important holiday: one as traditional as can be, another that riffs a bit by using mezcal, a slightly smoky spirit that also derives from agave plants grown on Mexico's rugged landscape. The Juan to Juan also serves up spiciness with the use of Ancho Reyes, a chile liqueur with a reborn recipe dating back to 1927.