Raising the Bar Award :
MARIENA MERCER BOARINI , RESORT MIXOLOGIST , WYNN LAS VEGAS
What began as a gig as the Tequila Goddess at Las Vegas restaurant Isla Mexican 17 years ago turned into an impressive career in beverage consulting , bartending , spirit specialization and mixology . Mariena Mercer Boarini , resort mixologist , Wynn Las Vegas and our 2022 Raising the Bar Award winner , has made considerable contributions in molecular mixology as well as inspired spirit-free cocktails .
When Boarini started at Isla Mexican in 2005 , tequila was an emerging spirit in the U . S ., “ so it was an exciting time to fall in love with the industry ,” she notes . “ I started specializing in agave at a young age , when others were not yet working with it ,” which was an impetus for her career in adult beverage .
Boarini opened The Cosmopolitan in 2010 as property mixologist and general manager at The Chandelier Bar . “ At that time , craft cocktails were a nascent and burgeoning scene — so it was a very exciting project to be part of ,” she says .
Her opening menu included the Verbena cocktail , a lemon verbena and ginger-infused Margarita garnished with a “ buzz button ” flower bud ( also called Szechuan button or buddha button ). Although the Verbena came off The Chandelier Bar ’ s menu the following year , it has ended up becoming a best-selling , off-menu phenomena .
Another cocktail Boarini created at The Chandelier Bar was The Schnozberry , her love letter to all things Willy Wonka . “ I used a miracle-berry-infused ice sphere , as an Everlasting Gobstopper , and an accoutrement of a Schnozberry flowerpot that was “ watered ” with liquid nitrogen to release aromatics .”
Fascinated by flavor and the way the senses perceive it , Boarini developed a product called Electricdust during the pandemic . “ I created a patent-pending process to turn the buzz button ( of Verbena fame ) into a dust — and flavored , colored , and added a beautiful iridescence to it .” The dust is added as a rim to
Mariena Mercer Boarini took over as the resort mixologist for Wynn Las Vegas in 2021 . cocktails and turns the imbiber into a super taster , intensifying flavors and bringing them on a journey of flavor , she adds .
At Wynn Las Vegas , where she designs for 31 different menus , Boarini recently created several non-alcoholic cocktails . She sees spirit-free drinks becoming a larger part of the bar / restaurant business . “ I love being able to provide a nuanced and sophisticated beverage to people that are looking for an alcohol-free option .”
Boarini also developed a line of edible terroir parfums at Wynn ’ s Overlook Lounge , inspired by the aromatics of glamorous locales .
One cocktail that showcases her love for show-stopping alchemy is The Stepford Wife ( shown above ) at Delilah at Wynn . A play on the French 75 cocktail ,” the drink combines Grey Goose Essences strawberry lemongrass vodka , spiced lychee and rosé Champagne , served in a pink glass with gold dust on the side .
What ’ s more , Boarini has won titles in “ Whiskey for Women ,” Bon Appétit ’ s “ Vegas Mix-Off ” event and other national competitions . “ The Opihr Gin “ World Adventure Cocktail Competition ” in Morocco , which I won a Global title in the souks of Marrakech against 11 other competitors from around the world , was a dream come true ,” she says .
“ I would definitely say I ’ ve hit my stride in creating my distinct style of imaginative , stunning , and immersive experiences that excite and seduce the senses ,” Boarini adds . “ Each one of my menus at Wynn showcase cerebral high-level concepts and techniques that meet visceral and meaningful stories .” — MD
www . cheersonline . com BevX Issue 2022 • 17