At the very least, a bar should have simple syrup, lime juice, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine, and bitters. These ingredients will allow you to create a wide range of classic cocktails and can be modified to fit your tastes and preferences.

There are many different types of cocktail mixers, but the most common are sour mix, sweet and sour mix, and triple sec. Sour mix is a combination of lemon juice, lime juice, and sugar syrup, while sweet and sour mix is a combination of lemon juice, lime juice, sugar syrup, and orange juice. Triple sec is a type of orange liqueur that is used in many classic cocktails.

Making your own cocktail mixers is a great way to control the ingredients and sweetness levels. To make your own simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. To make sour mix, combine equal parts lemon juice, lime juice, and sugar syrup. To make sweet and sour mix, combine equal parts lemon juice, lime juice, sugar syrup, and orange juice. Triple sec can be made by combining equal parts orange juice, sugar, and water in a saucepan and heating over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.

For beginners, it is a good idea to start with simple mixers like simple syrup, sour mix, sweet and sour mix, and triple sec. These mixers are easy to make and can be used in a variety of classic cocktails. As you become more comfortable making cocktails, you can experiment with more complex mixers like shrubs, cordials, and infused syrups.