2025 Wisconsin State Fair: Here are finalists for this year’s Drinkies, Sporkies awards

The list of Drinkies and Sporkies finalists at the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair has some rock-star glamor.

Fans can sip a Purple Rain Refresher at this summer’s fair while noshing on A Hunk A Hunk Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich.

The fair announced June 12 that four Drinkies and eight Sporkies contenders will be judged by a panel of local celebrity judges (to be named later) on July 29 on appearance, presentation, creativity, originality and taste.

The culinary competitors were chosen from 35 food entrants and 17 beverages. All competitors will be on sale during the fair, which runs July 31-Aug. 10 at State Fair Park.

Related: See 5 must-try foods from the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair 

Here are this year’s finalists.

Here are the 2025 Sporkies finalists

A Hunk A Hunk Elvis Donut Ice Cream Sandwich, from Badger Bites. A Grebe’s Bismark donut stuffed Fat Elvis Ice Cream (banana ice cream swirled with salty peanut butter ripple and chocolate chips), topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauce, crispy bacon, and powdered sugar.

Blueberry Breakfast Bratwurst, from Milwaukee Brat House. Usinger’s Blueberry-infused brat inside a flapjack, with sweet and smoky house-made bourbon bacon jam.

Brat Rangoon, from WürstBar. Crisp wonton wrappers filled with bratwurst, cream cheese, green onion, and melted cheese are deep-fried, and drizzled with house-made sweet and sour sauce, topped with Nori Komi Furikake seasoning.

Gochujang Smashburger with Kimchi Bacon Jam, from Blue Moon Tavern at the Park. Double smash patties layered with melty gouda, tangy gochujang sauce, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet-spicy kimchi bacon jam, on a toasted brioche bun. Finished with fresh cilantro.

Mexican Street Corn Pizza, from Charlie’s Pizza. This cheesy pizza features sweet corn, mozzarella, cotija cheese, spicy mayo and fresh lime on a crispy, golden pizza crust, topped with a lime.

Pretzaroni Pizza Brat, from Gertrude’s Pretzels. A St. Joe’s Garlic Parmesan brat is wrapped in pretzel dough lined with pepperoni, baked golden, and finished off with homemade garlic parmesan topping. Served with a side of marinara.

S’mores Churro Fries, from Saz’s BBQ. Cinnamon-sugar churro fries are topped with gooey marshmallow creme, chocolate sauce and crushed graham crackers.

Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia, from Lumpia City. Made with caramelized bananas, syrup-soaked French toast, and rich purple ube butter, then deep-fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar.

Here are the Drinkies finalists

Carnival Cooler, from Tropics at the Fair. A mix of watermelon, pickle juice, and lemonade, with zesty lime, Tajín, and hot honey added. Finished off with a lime wedge on a carousel pick and a straw for summer in a cup. This drink can be made alcoholic for fairgoers 21 and older.

Dirty Pancakes, from Buzzy Badger. Root beer mixed with vanilla creamer and maple pancake syrup, brown sugar and popping boba, topped with whipped cream. Bonus: The straw is lined with mini pancakes.

Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie, from Caribbean Smoothies. A strawberry smoothie is layered inside a cup swirled with pistachio butter and chocolate topping. Garnished with shredded Kataifi and extra chocolate drizzle.

Purple Rain Refresher, from Rock and Roll Beer Garden. A mix of Concord grape juice, tart lemonade and grapefruit soda is topped with edible glitter and pop rocks. This drink is said to change color with each sip of blue and silver edible glitter.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 Wisconsin State Fair: Here are finalists for this year’s Drinkies, Sporkies awards

Reporting by Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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