Head Mixologist for Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Named America's Top Female Bartender

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Apr 12, 2011, 03:29 ET

LAS VEGAS, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Askmen.com has named Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Mixologist Patricia Richards the top female bartender in America. As head mixologist for the resorts, she oversees 25 bars, and has made a name for herself as the first female in Las Vegas to run a program of comparable size.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110412/LA81921)

One of Richards' signature cocktails which helped earn her the honor of top female bartender is the Sinatra Smash, containing muddled blackberries, Gentleman Jack and a other special ingredients.

Richards embraces the evolving world of mixology by staying abreast of the latest trends and ingredients. Her drive for learning and experimenting with flavors has led her to receive accolades that include a silver medal in the 2006 Bacardi Martini Grand Prix in Torino, Italy, third place in the 2006 Canada and United States Tabasco Sauce Hottest Bartender competition and second place in the Travel + Leisure Beverage Arts Challenge. Additionally, Richards received the 2008 Cheers Magazine Rising Star Award and in 2009 was named one of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Hotel Bartenders. That same year, Richards won the Iron Bar Chef competition hosted by Sante magazine, where six of the country's top mixology professionals compete against one another to create the best cocktails.

SOURCE Wynn Las Vegas