Wisconsin State Fair's Sporkies competition adds Drinkies in 2023

Grace Cady, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read

Wisconsin State Fair is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Sporkies competition this year by adding a new category: Drinkies.

Four Drinkies finalists have been selected. These non-alcoholic but fun-infused beverages will go head-to-head during judging on Aug. 1.

All Drinkies will be judged on appearance, presentation, creativity, originality and taste. The lineup includes:

The Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Iced Latte is a contender in Wisconsin State Fair's new Drinkies competition.
The Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Iced Latte is a contender in Wisconsin State Fair's new Drinkies competition.

Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Iced Latte, made by Mashed Potatoes on a Stick: An iced latte with brown sugar, sweet potato puree, cinnamon and doused in brown sugar boba pearls. Plus a garnish which includes a deep fried sweet potato funnel cake nugget and toasted marshmallow.

Cotton Candy Lemonade, made by Saz’s Miller High Life Pavilion: A blend of chilled lemonade and blue cotton candy topped with even more cotton candy.

Cotton Candy Lemonade is a contender in Wisconsin State Fair's new Drinkies competition.
Cotton Candy Lemonade is a contender in Wisconsin State Fair's new Drinkies competition.

The Ferris Mule, made by Old Fashioned Sipper Club: This drink has ginger beer, fresh blackberries, lime juice and agave nectar. It's finished off with blackberries, a rosemary sprig and a lime wheel.

Mango Tango Tajin, made by Caribbean Smoothees: A blend of mangoes and pineapple, topped with a creamy strawberry smoothie layer. This drink will be drizzled with sweet and spicy Chamoy sauce and sprinkled with a kick of Tajin.

Wisconsin State Fair's 2023 Sporkies competition will feature an array of unusual food items.
Wisconsin State Fair's 2023 Sporkies competition will feature an array of unusual food items.

For traditional Sporkies fans, there are also plenty of mouth-watering food contestants:

Beer Cheese Lava Cake, from WurstBar: A combination of salted Milwaukee Pretzel Company slider buns and beer cheese soup topped off with hot honey and red pepper flakes.

Coastal Corn Nuggets, from Tropics: Freshly deep-fried dough balls with sweet corn kernels in the center are the main event. But the toppings make the dish. These nuggets are smothered in a creamy white queso and finished off with tropical slaw, pineapple-mango salsa and a dusting of cotija cheese.

Deep-Fried Apple Pie, from Saz’s BBQ: Homemade apple pie filling sandwiched between two slices of thick white bread dipped in sweet French Toast batter. This makeshift pie is then deep fried and topped with both caramel drizzle and cinnamon sugar.

Dill Pickle Donut, from Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts: What once was an April’s fool joke has now come into fruition. This donut is frosted with a dill pickle juice whipped cream cheese and topped with thick cut dill pickles and a dill sprinkle.

Irish Dipper, from Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub: This Irish Onion Dip is made with cream cheese, Guinness beer, caramelized onions and irish cheddar. But, it doesn’t stop there. The dip is then layered with classic Irish beef doused in Guinness gravy and placed on a French roll paired with a side of extra Guinness gravy for dipping.

The Porkie, from Camp Bar: A sundae meant to be enjoyed at the pig races! Featuring vanilla custard layered with cheesecake bites and hot fudge, this dish is topped with graham cracker crust, hot fudge, warm caramel, a graham cracker cookie, cherry and Rupena’s candied bacon dipped in chocolate and rolled in sprinkles.

Sweet and Savory Funnel Cake “Fries,” from Bud Pavilion: Golden funnel cake “fries” are topped with savory cheese curds and crispy bacon pieces then given a sweet twist. Rich chocolate sauce and sweet cream frosting glaze are added on top.

Wisconsin Quesadilla, from Mexican Grill: The best of Wisconsin inside a tortilla. Stuffed with cheese curds, chunks of brats, grilled onions and peppers as well as shredded cheese. The quesadilla is cooked golden brown, then served with sides of sour cream and salsa.

There is a hearty lineup from judges with a variety of backgrounds who will be at the fair to taste and try Sporkies and Drinkies.

Dario Melendez will return as emcee and moderate the panel of judges at the Aug. 1 competition. The celebrity taste testers include chefs Adam Pawlak and Ashley Turner, Milwaukee Bucks in-game host Melanie Ricks and former NBA and Marquette basketball star Steve Novak, among others.

Drinkies and Sporkies will be sold at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds from Aug. 3 –13.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin State Fair's Sporkies competition adds Drinkies in 2023