When it comes to mealtimes, there’s an art to behold in perfectly pairing your drinks with your food. But while da Vinci had no cheat sheet to help him paint Mona Lisa, and Munch could only dream of a YouTube tutorial for The Scream, we have a few handy tricks up our sleeve to help you flawlessly pair your favorite food to your tipple of choice.

If you’re looking to impress your friends and family with your gastronomical know-how, look no further than this handy guide to food pairings. Let’s get started.

1.    Wine

The truth is, we could write a whole article about which wines go with which flavor profiles — and many have. But we’re on a whistle-stop tour of the world of culinary matchmaking, so let’s keep it simple. For your white wines, you’ll want to stick to seafood, poultry, lighter pasta dishes, and mild cheese. Consider a prawn linguine, caesar salad or grilled hake to complement the crisp notes of white wine. Or, if you’re on the bubbles, opt for some lighter, saltier appetizers like chips, olives or cured meats, like prosciutto or serrano ham.

If you prefer a red, however, you can go with a bolder match-up. Heavier, fattier, or more flavorsome meats like roast beef, spicy sausage or steak will nicely round off a bottle of full or medium-bodied red.

And there you have it, your (simplified) wine rundown. But if you’re still struggling to separate your champagnes from your chablis, then there are even tools on the internet that can tell you the exact varietal to suit your supper. This wine pairing wheel from Pasta Evangelists is one handy resource to have at your disposal when the in-laws are in town — simply plug in your ingredients of choice and let the professionals recommend you a bottle.

2.    Beer

As any good brewer will tell you, there’s a pint to go with any plate. With the wide selection of beers that are on the market, it’s worth knowing the complementary food types that go with some of the most popular brews.

Pale lagers are known for their refreshing taste and lighter mouthfeel. Because these beers don’t have an overly intense flavor, they’ll pair nicely with most meals — making the likes of Heineken, Budweiser and Stella Artois some of the most popular choices around. However, as a “cleaner” and more subtle brew, these are best contrasted with spicier or more flavorful dishes like curry, ramen or wings. On the other hand, the roasted, nutty notes of dark lager give a hint of sweetness that complements hearty meals like stew, sausage or pizza.

Ales are another popular category of beer. Indian Pale Ales, or IPAs, have a bitterness which is often offset by herbal or fruit flavorings in their production process. While there are many varieties on the market, you’re best to combine IPAs with fried or salty foods to tone down the bitterness. Brown ales on the other hand are similar to stouts and porters, characterized by their warming hints of coffee, caramel or chocolate. These brews combine well with rich game meats, shellfish, or even fruit or nut-based desserts, according to Serious Eats.

3.    Gin & Tonic

The classic G&T is another crowd-pleaser that can be paired with many of the nation’s favorite meals. Once upon a time, the cocktail as we know it today was used to help British troops wash down medicine. As the story goes, it was mixed with sugar to cover the foul taste of quinine, then lime was thrown in to help ward off scurvy. So you might say that the humble G&T is the ultimate palate cleanser. And while we don’t recommend mixing it with any medications, we very much do recommend taking a dose of the crisp cocktail in between courses.

Salty or spicy foods are the most natural pairing for a cool G&T. A flavorful serving of lamb or beef curry goes down a treat, as do other dishes that feature ingredients with a kick, like samosas, jerk chicken, or charcuterie. The refreshing botanical notes also complement fish recipes — rich smoked salmon provides a satisfying contrast, and the cool cocktail can cut through a salty serving of cod and chips with ease.

But beyond the classic varieties, like London Dry or Old Tom, flavored gins are growing more popular than ever. Fruity concoctions of blood orange or even pineapple pair up nicely with sweeter desserts and lighter summertime dishes. With that in mind, why not enjoy a fruity G&T with a bold halloumi and watermelon salad?

With our simple guide, you’ll never be far away from the perfect refreshment to match any kind of meal. Bottoms up!