The Iowa State Fair not only has 84 new foods to try for the 11 days of Fair Spirit, but a roster of new alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks makes their way to the annual event, now in its 172nd year since its inception in 1854.
From Aug. 13-23, fairgoers can sip on dirty sodas and cotton candy beers, as well as a Cotton Rocket Cooler or frozen Red Bull watermelon margarita. Lemonade comes in flavors such as apple, jalapeno and cotton candy, while energy drinks and dessert-flavored coffees are having a moment. Of course, patriotic-themed drinks find their way into the fair in layers, toppings and accessories.
In all, 33 new nonalcoholic drinks join 12 alcoholic beverages. Just like fairgoers can vote for their top three favorite new foods at the fair, they can voice their opinion on the best new drinks, which will be announced with the People’s Choice Best New Food on Aug. 21.
Here’s a look at what’s new for alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks at the Iowa State Fair in 2026.
What are the new nonalcoholic drinks at the Iowa State Fair?
Any drink listed with an asterisk is vying for the New Drink contest.
* Affogato: A rich, espresso‑driven ice cream drink built for hot August afternoons. Silky, cold and indulgent, it can be finished with chocolate or caramel for extra depth. Find affogato at Biscuit Bar for $8.
* America’s Dirty Soda: A playful twist on the dirty‑soda trend, layering grenadine, lemon‑lime soda and a blue raspberry cold foam crown. Sweet, creamy and unapologetically festive. Find America’s Dirty Soda at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery for $8.
Apple Cider Float: Refreshing apple cider with vanilla soft serve. Find it at Buni’s Cinnamon Rolls for $7.
* Apple Lemonade: Fresh apple and bright lemon meet a hint of cinnamon, echoing the flavors of Minneapple Pie’s signature desserts. Find Apple Lemonade at Mini Apple Pie for $9.
* Banana Cream Latte: A cozy, dessert‑like latte blending banana, espresso and vanilla cream into a smooth, nostalgic sip. Find Banana Cream Latte at Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee and Kona Ice for $8.
* Berry Bobalicious Limonada: A cross‑cultural celebration of citrus, berries, sparkling soda, popping boba, chamoy, tajín and gummy candy. Vibrant, textured, and rooted in global flavor traditions. Find Berry Bobalicious Limonada at Saigonais Cuisine for $8.
* Cotton Candy Cloud: This ice‑cold drink comes topped with a dramatic puff of real cotton candy that hovers above the lid like a fairground spectacle. Find Cotton Candy Cloud at Wonder Bars for $8.
* Cotton Candy Lemonade: Classic lemonade meets spun sugar in a drink known for its visual theatrics. The cotton candy dissolves instantly, creating a swirling, sparkling effect. Find Cotton Candy Lemonade at Jada’s Funnel Cake for $9.
* Dirty Cherry Cola: Cherry syrup and cola topped with vanilla cold foam and a cherry garnish. A creamy, soda‑shop throwback. Find Dirty Cherry Cola at What’s Your Cheez for $8.
* Dirty Shirley: A grown‑up take on a childhood classic, blending cherry, lemon‑lime soda, vanilla cold foam and a cherry topper. Find Dirty Shirley at The Rib Shack for $8.
* Dirty Soda — Patriot Pop: Sprite, strawberry and blue raspberry collide with crackling Pop Rocks for a red‑white‑and‑blue burst of fizz. Find Patriot Pop at The Depot for $8.
* Freedom Float: A towering 32‑ounce cherry soda float with vanilla soft serve, blue sprinkles and an American flag combine for pure patriotic nostalgia. Find Freedom Float at Georgie’s Old Fashion Root Beer, Pretzels & Nachos for $10.
Golden Float: A dirty twist on the classic root beer float, featuring rich butterscotch syrup and topped with a sweet vanilla cream. Find it at Big Cup for $8.
* Jalapeño Lemonade: Fresh‑squeezed lemonade infused with jalapeño for a bright, citrusy sip that finishes with gentle heat. Find Jalapeño Lemonade at Brafford’s Lemonade for $9.
* Liberty Lemonade: A shaken blend of lemonade, strawberries and blue curaçao poured over ice for a crisp, patriotic refresher. Find Liberty Lemonade at McConnell’s Corn Dogs and Lemonade for $5.
* Midway Melonade: Watermelon juice, mint, lime peel syrup and soda water come together in a sparkling refresher topped with a floating souvenir duck. Find Midway Melonade at DG Destination Grille for $8.
* Patriotic Pop: Starry soda blended with strawberry and blue raspberry syrups, finished with strawberry popping boba. Fizzy, fruity and celebratory. Find Patriotic Pop at The Salad Bowl for $15.
Red Bull Honeybee, Red Bull Melon Dramatic, Red Bull Peach Paradise, Red Bull Peach Ring, Red Bull Royal Flush and Red Bull Vanilla Berry Cherry: All available at Hagar’s Hoagies for $8 each.
* Red White and Boost: A layered energy drink featuring strawberry purée, lemon‑lime energy, blue raspberry cream and crackling candy. Find Red White and Boost at Big Cup for $7.
* Red, White N Blue Berry Blast: A 24‑ounce fizzy berry drink topped with sweet cream. Find Red, White N Blue Berry Blast at Grater Taters for $7.
* Rose Lemonade: Meyer lemon and rose create a floral, tangy and lightly sweet lemonade with a sophisticated edge. Find Rose Lemonade at Bubbly for $10.
* Shirley Temple Soda Pop: A nostalgic blend of lemon‑lime soda and pomegranate‑grenadine, served as a bubbly throwback to childhood summers. Find Shirley Temple Soda Pop at The Veggie Table for $6.
* Small Coconut Cloud Brew: Cold brew infused with coconut and sweetened condensed milk for a velvety, tropical finish. Find Small Coconut Cloud Brew at The Snack Box for $8.
Star Spangled Soda: A patriotic blend of crisp lemon-lime soda and strawberry syrup, topped with a blue raspberry fluff. Find it at Big Cup for $6.
* State Fair Freedom: Cherry and blue raspberry flavors mixed with Sprite and finished with a rock candy stir stick. Find State Fair Freedom at Po‑Boys for $8.
* Strawberry Cream Lemonade: Fresh lemonade swirled with strawberry and cream and garnished with freeze‑dried strawberries. Find Strawberry Cream Lemonade at Double Bacon for $7.
What are the new alcoholic drinks at the Iowa State Fair?
Any drink listed with an asterisk is vying for the New Drink contest.
Cotton Candy Beer: Find it at Jalapeno Pete’s for $12.
* Cotton Rocket Cooler: JR’s SouthPork Ranch leans into full midway nostalgia with a cocktail built from Barn Town Brewing’s Cotton Candy Sour and Rocket Pop Sour. The result is a sweet-tart blast of spun sugar, cherry, blue raspberry and citrus — an icy throwback that tastes like summer under the fairground lights. Find the Cotton Rocket Cooler at JR’s SouthPork Ranch for $14 (20 ounces) or $19 (32 ounces).
* Frozen Red Bull Watermelon Margarita: A frozen margarita supercharged with Red Bull and watermelon, delivering a cold, high-energy punch designed for fairgoers who want a little lift with their lime. Find the Frozen Red Bull Watermelon Margarita at Old West Roadhouse BBQ for $18.
PBJ Beer: Find it at Jalapeno Pete’s for $12.
* Red Bull Margarita: Old West Roadhouse BBQ doubles down on the Red Bull theme with a classic frozen margarita boosted by lemon lime energy. It’s icy, tart, and built for the midway. Find the Red Bull Margarita at Old West Roadhouse BBQ for $18.
* Sour Batch Buddies Watermelon: A candy-inspired sour beer bursting with juicy watermelon flavor and a puckering finish. Garnished with watermelon candies, it’s a playful nod to the classic sour gummies. Find Sour Batch Buddies Watermelon at The Depot for $10.
* The Stinger!: A wine-based margarita with a bold mango habanero profile, delivering sweet heat and a spicy finish. The drink’s signature flourish — a real scorpion on a stick — adds an unforgettable fair-time twist. Find The Stinger! at Bubbly for $11.
* Watermelon Mint Moscow Mule: Fresh watermelon purée and mint meet lime and ginger beer in a cocktail that’s crisp, cooling and summer-ready. Garnished with mint, lime and watermelon for a bright finish. Find the Watermelon Mint Moscow Mule at Blue Ribbon Bar & Eatery for $14.
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State Fair unveils 45 new drinks for 2026 season
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
