“Cocktails can be stories that engage all the senses,” says Wynn mixologist Mariena Boarini, designer of the signature drinks at Aft, the outdoor cocktail deck that recently debuted on the resort’s Lake of Dreams. “My favorite part of what I do is creating a program that tells those stories through thrilling, unforgettable ingredients and unique presentations.”

Boarini says she’s been inspired by glamorous destinations while creating the signature cocktails at Aft, from the alluring beaches of Ibiza and Rio de Janeiro to the yachting lifestyle of Monaco. While presentation and taste are integral to each recipe, Boarini also puts an emphasis on scent, believing that sense is too often overlooked in cocktail design. “I’m fascinated by aromatics and how they influence cocktails,” she explains. “Scent can access nostalgia much more quickly than flavor, so from the first sip, the aroma has been designed to transport you to a locale that’s captivating and seductive.”

Rounding out the experience is Wynn’s celebrated Lake of Dreams show, a state-of-the-art production that showcases dazzling video and colorful puppetry amid the resort’s 3-acre lake and 90-foot waterfall. Adds Boarini, “To engage all your senses in a truly heightened way, Aft is the place to be.”