Scholarship Serves: Molly's Little Haven

Every great cocktail has a story.

As part of the Double Dutch Female Bartending Scholarship, each scholar is invited to create and present a signature cocktail for graduation - a drink inspired by their journey, experiences or the lessons they've learned throughout the programme.

The challenge isn't simply to create a delicious cocktail. It's an opportunity to combine flavour, storytelling and presentation into something that represents who they are as a bartender.

Next in our Scholarship Serves series is Molly and her cocktail, Little Haven.

Hospitality starts behind the bar

For Molly, inspiration came from one of the moments guests never get to see.

After a particularly busy weekend service, she'd often make a cocktail for her team - a chance to pause, unwind and celebrate getting through another shift together.

Since moving into a management role, she's discovered that one of the most rewarding parts of hospitality is looking after the people around her.

Creating a positive environment, supporting your team and making work somewhere people genuinely enjoy being has become just as important as making great drinks.

That philosophy became the inspiration behind Little Haven.

A familiar classic with a personal twist

Drawing inspiration from the Hotel Nacional, Molly created her own interpretation using:

• White rum
• Pineapple
• Amaro Montenegro
• Vanilla

The result is a bright, tropical cocktail with a smooth, comforting finish - a drink designed to be shared after a long shift with the people who helped make it through.

Why "Little Haven"?

The name carries two meanings.

It's a tribute to the hotel by the beach where Molly grew up, a place filled with happy memories.

But it also reflects something she's learned throughout her career.

Sometimes, hospitality isn't about the venue - it's about creating a safe, welcoming space for the people around you.

Whether that's guests enjoying a memorable evening or teammates winding down after service, everyone deserves a little haven.

More than a cocktail

The signature cocktail challenge is one of the final milestones of the Double Dutch Female Bartending Scholarship.

It's an opportunity for scholars to explore creativity, build confidence and develop the skills to communicate not just what they've created, but why they've created it.

Every cocktail is unique because every scholar's journey is unique.

For Molly, Little Haven is a reminder that the best leaders don't just create memorable experiences for guests - they create memorable workplaces for their teams too.

We're incredibly proud of Molly and everything she's has achieved throughout the scholarship.

Congratulations, Molly. We can't wait to see where your journey takes you next.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Double Dutch Female Bartending Scholarship?

The Double Dutch Female Bartending Scholarship is a mentoring and education programme designed to help women build confidence and develop their careers in hospitality.

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Why do scholars create a signature cocktail?

Each scholar creates and presents a signature cocktail to demonstrate everything they've learned throughout the programme, from flavour pairing to storytelling and presentation.

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Who can apply for the scholarship?

Applications open annually for women working within hospitality.

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What do scholars learn?

Topics include:

• Flavour development
• Cocktail creation
• Hospitality leadership
• Menu development
• Confidence
• Public speaking
• Career development

 

Every journey starts with one application. If you're ready to take the next step in your hospitality career, applications for the Double Dutch Female Bartending Scholarship are open now 💛