Why Blue Moon Gets An Orange And Corona Gets A Lime

Beer doesn't typically come decked out with garnishes, but two classic brews aren't quite complete without their respective citrus adornment. You don't have to be a bartending wiz to know that Blue Moon gets an orange wheel and Corona should be crowned with a lime wedge. What's less widely known, however, is why bartenders traditionally serve each of these beers with its specific citrus.

In the case of Blue Moon, the answer is refreshingly clear: The Belgian-style wheat ale is brewed with Valencia orange peel, and the orange slice is meant to complement and enhance the citrus notes in the beer. The idea to serve an orange slice with Blue Moon came from the top – when it debuted in 1995, many bars garnished it with a lemon slice, a standard addition to other Belgian beers. Unsatisfied with what it viewed as a subpar citrus substitute, Blue Moon launched a successful campaign to promote serving its beer with orange slices, and the rest is history.

The origins of Corona's now-ubiquitous lime garnish are hazier. Various theories posit that it was meant to cover up a "skunky" scent and flavor (Corona's signature clear bottles leave it prone to skunking), to sanitize the bottle rim and to remove any rust marks, or even to naturally deter flies. What is clear is that the lime was a smash hit, and these days most people add lime to Corona simply because it tastes great.

Garnishing your Blue Moon or Corona with the correct citrus is always a good move, especially if you're looking to level up your home bar game. However, there are some things to keep in mind for a beverage that tastes as good as it looks. To properly garnish a Blue Moon, wash an orange (ideally a Valencia, but navels also work well) and cut off both ends. Then, slice it into ¼-inch rounds, cutting crosswise. Finally, slice a notch into an orange wheel and stick it on the rim of a Blue Moon-filled glass, preferably a weizen, the perfect glass to complement your beer.

For Corona, wash a lime, remove the ends, cut it in half lengthwise, and slice each half into three to four wedges. You can insert the lime directly into the neck of the Corona bottle or serve it on the edge of a glass. As mentioned above, Blue Moon should always be garnished with orange (unless you want to have a beef with the brewery), but Corona is more forgiving. If you don't have a lime on hand, lemon can have a similar flavor-enhancing effect, and some people even prefer it. No matter what citrus you use, remember to squeeze the juice into the beer for the optimal drinking experience — it might not look as pretty afterwards, but drink garnishes are about more than just looks.