Wisconsin, your summer foodie itinerary is here. In what’s become one of the most anticipated days on the culinary calendar, the Sporkies and Drinkies Finalists are ready for their closeup.
The best 11 days of summer are going to be packed with gastronomic adventures as Wisconsin State Fair’s esteemed class of creative food and beverage artists are on fire in the kitchen and at the mixologists’ table to help commemorate the 175th anniversary of Wisconsin’s favorite tradition. See the full list here and below. Then mark your calendars for Aug. 6– 16 and get set to eat and imbibe your way through these dishes and drinks. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Eight Sporkies finalists have been selected from 29 mouth-watering entries, and four Drinkies finalists have been selected from 24 thirst-quenching mixers. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, a panel of celebrity judges(to be revealed at a later date) will sample each dish and drink to determine who will take home the coveted Golden Spork and Cup. The winners will not only earn the best bragging rights in the state, but also proudly serve up thousands of the winning items over the 11 days of the Wisconsin State Fair. Without further ado, the 2026 Finalists are:
The Drinkies Finalists:
Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade – Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes On-a-Stick
Sip on fresh-squeezed lemonade, sweetened with Mike’s Hot Honey and garnished
with two sweet hot honey battered chicken nuggets. Did we mention that the iced
Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade is served with honey popping juice pearls, too? The
mix of hot, sweet and cold has never tasted better!
Tilt-a-Spritz – Old Fashioned Sipper Club
Tilt-a-Spritz is a playful nod to the State Fair’s iconic SpinCity! And like the ride itself,
it’s designed to be an experience from the very first moment. The bright ruby
grapefruit and key lime juices deliver a vibrant citrus flavor with ginger beer
effervescence for a crisp finish. Sealed in a smoke box with hickory and torched
rosemary, open the door to reveal a dramatic cloud before the first sip.
Color-Changing Swamp Juice – All Things Jerky
Color-Changing Swamp Juice brings a splash of fun as Fairgoers inject the “swamp
potion” into the blue raspberry lemonade and watch it change colors right before
their eyes! Gummy gators lurk below while candy frogs hop on top for a wildly
playful treat as the swamp comes alive with a crackling Pop Rocks rim.
Cookie Butter Coffee Float – Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts
Follow the cookie butter craze to the Cookie Butter Coffee Float! This float blends
delicious vanilla ice cream and cookie butter-infused iced coffee to create a
refreshing, indulgent drink. Topped with a Biscoff cookie crumble rim, drizzled with
cookie butter drizzle and garnished with a Biscoff cookie – yum!
The Sporkies Finalists:
Bayou Crunch Cup – Exotic Meat Grill
Bayou Crunch Cup is a towering cup of southern comfort, stacked with crispy
sidewinder fries, Cajun slaw and tender alligator nuggets. Breaded crawfish bites
and a rich comeback sauce add a bold, zesty kick in every layer. Finish this dish off
with pickled okra and a whole crawfish on top for big bayou flavor and a true Fair
wow factor.
Cream City Cone – WürstBar
The Cream City Cone is a handheld creation that delivers a flavorful, fully loaded bite
from the top down. This warm, buttery pretzel cone is dipped in Milwaukee Pretzel
Company Dill Pickle Mustard, packed with a savory mix of bratwurst, sautéed
onions, sautéed mushrooms, and melted cheddar, and then topped with a breaded
white cheddar cheese curd and more mustard. It’s a brat … in a cone … and
somehow, it all makes perfect sense!
Tinga Tango Chicharrones – Blue Moon Tavern at the Park
Tinga Tango Chicharrones is a dish created to be the ultimate sweet-heat
showstopper. A savory stack of house-made crispy honey-habanero pork rinds topped
with smoky chicken tinga, tangy pickled red onions, creamy queso fresco, cotija
cheese, sweet and spicy candied jalapeños, and fresh cilantro. Finished with a drizzle
of silky cilantro-lime crema and served with vibrant salsa verde for dipping, drizzling,
and devouring.
Porky Puff – Bud Pavillion
The Porky Puff is a golden, flaky puff pastry filled with tender pulled pork, house
made zesty peach filling, layered with creamy garlic and herb cheese for a rich,
savory bite. Baked until light and crispy, finished with a drizzle of hot honey, and a
sprinkle of mustard seeds, this Puff delivers the perfect balance of sweet heat and
tang. Handheld and packed with bold flavor, it’s an easy-to-eat indulgence that hits
every note in one irresistible square!
Deep-Fried Horchata Balls – Badger Bites
Deep-Fried Horchata Balls are an indulgent, sweet luxury! These bites are dusted in
cinnamon sugar, drizzled with rich dulce de leche sauce, chocolate sauce, then
topped with mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut and sweet fried plantain chips for
the ultimate dessert!
Sweet Lemon Berry Cheese Curds – Saz’s BBQ
Sweet Lemon Berry Cheese Curds feature Ellsworth Creamery white cheddar cheese
curds fried to crispy, cheesy perfection then tossed in a cinnamon-sugar mix. Add a
sweet raspberry sauce over the cheese curds and finish the dish with a side of
homemade sweet lemon zest cream whip for a dish that is somehow sweet, salty and
crisp, but also so refreshing.
Al Pastor Pizza – Charlie’s Pizza
The Al Pastor Pizza is loaded with tender, marinated al pastor pork, melty mozzarella
cheese, and juicy pineapple for the perfect balance of savory and sweet. It’s finished
with fresh cilantro, white onion, lime and a signature special sauce, bringing a bright,
zesty kick to every bite. Crafted on a perfectly crisp crust, this pizza delivers bold,
unforgettable flavors in every bite.
Birria Flamin’ Bombs – Fiesta Grill & Cantina
The Birria Flamin’ Bombs were created as a crazy twist on a fan-favorite meal that
showcases rich, delicious flavors! These crispy bombs are filled with slow-cooked
beef birria, cilantro, onion, and melted mozzarella cheese, then coated in a savory
seasoned breadcrumb blend and served with a birria consommé for dipping with a
side of creamy chipotle aioli.
What Winners Get
All the Sporkies and Drinkies items entered will be available for purchase during the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair. A massive 13-foot Spork or Drinkie statue will be displayed at all finalists’ locations to help commemorate that prize winning creation. All vendors who entered either competition will display a sticker at their State Fair location(s). See a full list of The Sporkies and Drinkies items here.
