Undercaffeinated visitors to the Minnesota State Fair will find no shortage of cheap drip coffee, but the Fairgrounds have long offered far too few options for fairgoers seeking more creative coffee and espresso drinks.

Slowly but surely, that’s changing.

In the 1990s and 2000s, as Starbucks, Caribou and other similar spots changed the coffee scene off the Fairgrounds, Java Jive and French Meadow Bakery and Cafe were basically the be-all-end-all of State Fair specialty coffee. But a couple of new spots that have popped up over the past eight years or so have raised the bar.

We tried 13 specialty coffee drinks around the Fairgrounds and rated them on three scales: The flavor scale spans from burnt and bitter to sugarbomb-sweet. The wake-up factor scale rates beverages that’ll put you to sleep versus ones that’ll jolt you awake (based on qualitative factors, not necessarily measured caffeine content). And the value scale helps you skip unreal money-wasters and find good bang-for-your-buck deals.(Drinks are listed alphabetically.)

Blended Cappuccino, CinnieSmiths

What is it: Blended coffee and ice cream

How much is it: $8 for 12 ounces

Where is it: South side of Murphy Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets, across from The Hangar

This is my hidden-gem Fairgrounds beverage; I love it and reliably drink several every year. It’s a milkshake, fair and square, and is pretty sweet as a result but is not the sugar rush that some other Fairgrounds beverages and desserts are. I don’t know how much caffeine is in this thing — seems like not much — but the coffee flavor is bright and delicate with a very subtle chai-like spiced undertone. Shell out the 8 bucks for this thing; it’s worth it.

Campfire Cold Brew, The Blue Barn

Where is it: At West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center

This drink needs work. The quality of the coffee seems a bit underwhelming, and its bitterness drowns out much of the perceptible campfire-ness. Drinking it with something sugary, like the Blue Barn’s delicious Sweet Squeakers (funnel cake-fried cheese curds; eat them), does help, but a good coffee drink concept should stand on its own. That fact, in my opinion, makes this feel less worthwhile than other similarly priced and sized drinks.

Cinnamon Dolce Cappuccino, French Meadow Bakery & Cafe

What is it: Espresso, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla and organic almond milk

How much is it: $9 for 16 ounces

Where is it: North side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

This is one of few non-dairy specialty coffee drinks available on the Fairgrounds; it’s unfortunate that folks searching for alternative milks are stuck with this. The coffee itself is barely noticeable under a clobbering, overly saccharine flavor that reminds me of artificial grocery-store creamer. What am I paying so much money for?

Iced Coffee with Ube Milk Foam and Coffee Jelly, Chan’s Eatery

Where is it: East side of Underwood Street between Murphy and Lee avenues

I opted to top this drink with ube milk foam, which was enjoyable and lent a more complex sweetness to the drink. It’s served unmixed, for a striking purple or green layered effect, but I do recommend mixing the layers together before you drink it so every sip is consistent. (I could take or leave the coffee jelly; personally, not my thing.) This drink might not have the same wake-up factor as other iced coffees, but it’s certainly more fun. At $12, though, you’re paying a premium for novelty.

Latte, French Meadow

What is it: A classic — espresso and steamed milk

How much is it: $8 for 16 ounces

Where is it: North side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

The organic bakery was one of the first to bring modern lattes to the Fairgrounds, but at this point, I appreciate them more for that history than for the actual content of their cups. The coffee tastes so, so burnt. The brew is strong, but the flavor is, frankly, terrible. If you need something that’ll wake you up by brute force, this is the place for you.

Latte, Java Jive

Where is it: South side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers streets

The longstanding espresso shack — about 10 years older than French Meadow — serves drinks at prices that seem reasonable even compared to many city coffee shops these days, not just to other Fairgrounds stalls. That is not to say the beverages are anywhere near as good; a recent latte tasted like watery hotel drip coffee with creamer in it. It gets the job done, though. In a perfect world, I’d like a latte that’s both strong and tasty. But given that both plain lattes on this list are slightly unpleasant to drink, I’d rather have this weaker cup that’s a better value than French Meadow’s bolder, pricier one.

Maple Cream Nitro Cold Press, Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop

What is it: Cold press coffee through a nitrogen tap, with maple syrup and cream

How much is it: $8.50 for 12 ounces

Where is it: North side of Dan Patch Avenue, between Cooper and Cosgrove streets

What’s happening here? This drink is much too sweet for its own good, but not because there’s too much maple syrup — on the contrary, the drink tastes a bit diluted and the maple flavor is much less prominent than it could or should be. I understand that part of the reason for high prices at this stand is to support local farmers, a goal I’m fully on board with, but it’s frustrating when the actual farm-fresh ingredients are not showcased well.

Mini Donut Latte, The Anchor Coffee House

Where is it: West side of Underwood Street, between Dan Patch and Carnes avenues

The Anchor Coffee House, located year-round in downtown White Bear Lake, has been at the Fair since 2018. I probably have not ordered their signature mini donut latte since then, which I now realize has been a mistake — it’s much better than the gimmick it’s sometimes written off as. In fact, if you’re the kind of coffee drinker who springs for the seasonal flavored lattes at your local cafe, this cup is your best bet on the Fairgrounds. It’s definitely sweet, but it’s very well-balanced and will set the tone for a busy day.

Mini Donut Shake-Up, Hamline Church Dining Hall

What is it: Sweetened espresso shaken with cinnamon sugar

How much is it: $8.25 for 12 ounces

Where is it: North side of Dan Patch Avenue, between Underwood and Cooper streets

Last year’s maple shake-up was replaced this year by this confusing mini donut-themed drink concocted by Ginkgo Coffeehouse in St. Paul. While the coffee flavor is good, the drink is a straight sugar bomb that tastes significantly like caramel sauce, not the cinnamon-forward mini-donut flavor I’d expect, especially after the success of the previous mini donut beverage on this list. The Hamline Church Dining Hall is still worth a visit — there’s a reason it’s stuck around for 129 years, after all — but if you get this cloyingly sweet drink, be prepared to want to fall into a nap afterward.

Mocha Java Special, West End Creamery

Where is it: At West End Market, northwest section, near the Schilling Amphitheater

Anyone who’s ordered a Starbucks Frappuccino knows how easy it is for a blended iced coffee drink to tilt into milkshake territory. This drink, though, is inarguably a milkshake. The coffee flavor is pleasant; the contents of the cup are mostly ice cream. I’m not complaining, of course, but in terms of both price and sweetness, it’s best to think of this as a dessert, not a coffee beverage.

The Stinger, Beans & Beignets

What is it: Cold brew, whipped espresso honey, cayenne and a splash of cream

How much: $9 for 16 ounces

Where is it: Northwest corner of Judson Avenue and Clough St.

This is good stuff, folks. Sweetness from the honey is well-balanced, and the cayenne is not overpowering but certainly noticeable enough to give you a little kick in the pants. Sure, it’s a bit pricey, but this Iowa-based food truck has been a lifeline for undercaffeinated fairgoers since debuting last year, so it feels worthwhile. And the line moves quickly. I’d order the Stinger at a cafe off the Fairgrounds, too. (The beignets, unfortunately, are just-fine at best.)

Swedish Egg Coffee, Salem Lutheran Church Dining Hall

Where is it: North side of Randall Avenue, just south of the Progress Center (Eco Experience)

Look, I get that this Scandinavian staple has become iconic on the Fairgrounds over the nearly 80 years that the Salem Lutheran Church Dining Hall has been here. If you like Swedish egg coffee, power to ya; I do not. I’m told that adding a smashed egg into coffee grounds makes the resulting brew smoother and less bitter, but to my taste, the effect seems the polar opposite on both counts. Like any good diner java, this’ll keep your eyes open, but at $5 a cup, I personally would not choose this over other drip coffee elsewhere.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Que Viet Concessions

Where is it: East side of Cooper Street, outside the Merch Market

This is good walking-around coffee. You can tell the original brew was on the bitter side, but the sweetened condensed milk brightens, sweetens and smooths out its rougher edges. The result is a beverage thicker and richer than a standard iced coffee with milk, strong enough to power you through a hot day.