Those who enjoy inviting people over for dinner and drinks or love throwing house parties may have realized that a good round of cocktails can go a long way. If you have been considering taking a few mixology classes to level up your cocktail game, or if you have been interested in learning a few basics, here are some bar basics to mix up a good cocktail.

1. Start With the Classics
If you’re new to mixing drinks, it is better to start with simple recipes instead of being too ambitious and trying out some crazy combinations. By a general rule of thumb, some classic cocktails that a beginner bartender must learn to make are the Tom Collins, Manhattan, Martini, Old Fashioned, Cuba Libre, and Sidecar.

2. Learn the Cocktail Recipe Lingo
If you are planning on being the bartender, get acquainted with some basic mixology lingo that you’ll come across while looking up recipes online. Common terms include “well and call drinks,” “neat,” “up,” and “straight-up drinks.” And for some strange reason, the bar counter is sometimes also called “the stick.”

3. Understand Distilled Spirits
Distilled spirits such as different brands of vodka, whisky, tequila as well as other flavored liqueurs are most commonly used in any bar setting. These spirits tend to be the primary ingredients in any cocktails. And whether you are acting bartender for your house party or you are actually preparing to work behind the stick, you need to be comfortable working with these spirits.

4. Don’t Skimp Out on Ice
Aside from distilled spirits, ice is the most important ingredient that you need to stock up on before even thinking about hosting a cocktail tasting party in your house. Unless you’re specifically asked to make a “no ice” cocktail, make sure you are adding enough ice in the drink for hell to freeze over. If you skimp out on the ice and add water instead, whatever small amount you have added to the drink will melt quickly, which can lead to excessive dilution of the drink.

5. Keep the Mixes Simple and Balanced
If you are a true beginner, don’t complicate things for yourself by putting too many ingredients on the tray. Start with two or three simple drinks that you already know how to make and that do not need ingredients from a different planet for your drinks to taste great. Once you get these simple drinks right, you can start being adventurous and experiment with newer ingredients.

6. Get the Right Tools
Some basic cocktail mixing tools are necessary so as to be able to use the right techniques of mixing without spilling liquids all over the table. Get a good quality set that consists of a sturdy cocktail shaker with a firm lid, a bar spoon, a jigger, a strainer, and a muddler.