Whether you’re thrilling to the rides on the Midway, strolling down Restaurant Row or watching the live calf births, a day at the New York State Fair can certainly build a thirst.
We toured the fairgrounds looking for those cool, refreshing quenchers that will make your day at the fair complete. We found frozen drinks, more traditional iced cocktails and even a few with no alcohol.
We skipped the beer and wine slushies, although they are big part of any State Fair. For this list, we concentrated on those that showcased a bit of mixology.
The Mermaid Melonvodka from 1911 / Beak & Skiff at the NYS Fair (Don Cazentre)
Vendor: 1911 Established / Beak and Skiff
Where: In a tent between the Horticulture Building and the east entrance of The Eatery.
Why its great: Visually appealing and definitely the most fun drink at the fair. A candy straw? Rock candy? Gummy fishes? This is a very memorable drink and one you can’t get anywhere else. Beak and Skiff’s Honey Melon vodka and lemonade makes a refreshing relief from summer heat.
Enjoying an I Got Vaxxed drink from the Monnshine Slush Saloon at the New York State Fair. (Emily Leiker)
Vendor: NY State Distillery / Moonshine Slush Saloon
Where: Between The Eatery and the east end of the Midway (near Villa Pizze Fritte)
Why it’s great: If you’re looking for a strong drink this is it. And, hey, the alcohol boost comes in a syringe! A frozen slush of whatever flavor you’d like with an extra syringe shot of moonshine. The fairgrounds was once a Covid vaccination site — now you can get a different type of shot, and it still comes with a cute sticker.
The Frozen Miami Vice from the Coco Bongos stand at the New York State Fair. (Don Cazentre)
Where: East of Restaurant Row, across from the Dairy Products Building.
How much: $13 for a 24 ounce; $10 for a 14 ounce.
Why it’s great: First, the stand boasts a rooftop tiki bar! As for the drink, it’s a free trip to Key West, or maybe even Bourbon Street. This fruity mix of pina colada and strawberry, boosted by two shots of 21 White Rum, is the perfectly cooling refresher when the sweat is building up in your loud Hawaiian shirt. If there was a swim-up bar at the State Fair, this would be its signature drink.
The Garbanzo Glacier at Munjed's Mediterranean in the Eatery Building.Marnie Eisenstadt
Vendor: Munjeds Middle Eastern Café
Where: The Eatery (the former International Building)
Why it’s great: OK, let’s be honest. A hummus (or hommus as they spell it here) shake might not sound that appetizing to some folks. But one sip told a different story. This was a tasty (non-alcoholic) treat featuring chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), banana, tahini nut and dates, which provided the sweetness. It was topped with non-dairy whipped cream and cinnamon. Plus, there’s not a trace of garlic. Big yum!
The Dirty Hog Wine slushy comes with a chocolate covered piece of bacon. (Rylee Kirk | rkirk@syracuse.com)
Where: Wine Court in the Colonnade
Why it’s great: This concoction screamed audaciousness. It’s a wine shake, which blends chocolate syrup, caramel syrup and apple wine. Then it’s garnished with a huge strip of bacon covered in chocolate. You might’ve tried this bacon at Bacon-Fest, but the shake is out of this world.
The Volcano, a non-alcohol tropical rink at the Tropical Delight Stand at the NYS Fair. (Emily Leiker)
Where: Broadway (facing the Midway)
Why it’s great: This offered a fruity, beachy break from the alcoholic drinks. It’s a real pineapple that’s been carved out and filled with a strawberry/pina colada slushies. Robustly garnished with four pineapple wedges. Many other varieties are on the menu, including strawberry lemonade and pina colada/peach. You’ll be the envy of everyone as you walk down the Midway with this drink in hand.
Drinking a Loaded Bloody Mary at Daniella's at the NYS Fair. (Rylee Kirk)
Vendor: Daniella’s at the Fair
Where: At the far southeast corner of the fairground (the former Empire Room)
Why it’s great: If you’re looking to start your drinking experience at the NYS Fair early, Daniella’s Loaded Bloody Mary is a great first drink. It’s basically a meal and a drink in one, with two skewers full of sausage, a salt potato, shrimp, pepperoncini, a cube of New York cheddar, olives, bacon, celery and a pickle. The shrimp was nice and thick, and the bacon was coated in sticky, sugary goodness. Made with Ryze Vodka from Lock 1 Distillery in Phoenix, Oswego County, and Daniella’s homemade Bloody Mary mix, it’s like a cold, tangy tomato soup in your mouth.
The Sunburn cocktail from The Shamrock stand at the NYS Fair. (Don Cazentre)
Where: On Broadway, near the Expo Center and facing the Midway
Why it’s great: Want a little fire with your drink? You’ll like this one, which mixes Lock 1 Distillery’s Inferno whiskey (think Fireball) with orange juice and cranberry. It’s also served on the rocks, not frozen like so many of the State Fair’s signature drinks. A little fire and ice never hurts on the state Fairgrounds.
Enjoying a Frozen Hot Chocolate (spiked) from Tommy C's stand at the NYS Fair.
Vendor: Charlie’s at the Fair
Why it’s great: This is a drink you can chug quickly and then go back for seconds if you want to get buzzed fast. While some might think twice about indulging in a candy cane drink in the dog days of summer, it’s the perfect blend of the classic Christmas flavor and cold chocolate milk (from Byrne Dairy).
Drinking a Frozen Arnold Palmer at Horan's on Restaurant Row the NYS Fair (Rylee Kirk)
Vendor: Horan’s at Fair
Where: In the middle of Restaurant Row
Why it’s great: This is a good, standard boozy slushie for anyone who’s looking for a refreshing drink. Despite being made with 21 Premium Vodka, it doesn’t have an overly-alcoholic taste. In fact, the Arnold Palmer (tea and lemonade) taste isn’t overpowering either, making for a perfectly blended and easy-to-sip afternoon cocktail.
The Boozy Root Beer Float from Daniella's at the New York State Fair. (Don Cazentre)
Vendor: Daniella’s at the Fair
Where: At the far southeast corner of the fairground (the former Empire Room)
Why it’s great: It’s sweet. It’s root beer-y. Make that root, root, root beer-y. And its boozy, with Lock 1 Distillery’s Ryze Vodka and its Coconut ExCuse Liqueur (along with the non-alcohol root beer from Saranac in Utica. Top it with whipped cream, sprinkles and root beer gummis, and so decadent, you won’t need dessert.
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Read more about the 2022 NYS Fair:
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When are the special days and free admission days at the 2022 New York State Fair?
How to get $3 tickets and ride tickets for 2022 New York State Fair: No cash at the gate again
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