Apple Cider Mojito
This apple cider mojito is a fall spin on a classic cocktail recipe that will keep you warm during those chilly days!
Happy Monday friends! I think we all need a cocktail to start the week and this apple cider mojito will get you going.
To be honest, I am using this mojito to drink my feelings (responsibly!). I head back to work tomorrow and I have mixed feelings about this whole working mother thing. My little one is 10 weeks old and he is doing so well with everything. My mom is here and she is going to be staying home with him for the next two months. So technically we are all set and I have no reason to be sad about going to work. Key word, technically.
However, in reality I am terrified. Not about getting back in the game but about leaving my baby 🙁 What if something happens to him and I am not there? What if he hates me for going away? He already is cranky in the evenings and those are the only times the hubs gets with him. Now we have to share him for just two hours before bedtime??
During the past month when I was home, I got sick of sitting all day with the same routine on the clock (eat, play, sleep…repeat at least 6 times a day) and was wishing I could go to work and talk to some adults. At some point, I even resented the husband for ‘getting away’ from it all everyday while I was ‘stuck’ at home. But now that it is time for me to head back, I don’t want to. I don’t want to leave him. These 10 weeks have been amazing getting to know him, taking care of him and loving him. And now that he is starting to engage with his environment, play more and smile, I am about to miss it all. The struggle is too real and why I made this apple cider mojito last week as I moped around.
I may have had two servings in a day and had to pump-and-dump my supply to be safe but it was well worth it. Thanks to a lot of apples still in my possession and some freshly pressed apple cider from the orchard, these mojitos are nothing short of amazing. A fall spin on a classic cocktail is all I needed to deal with reality of being a working mom soon. Time to wear my big girl panties and face the music…wish me luck!
Apple Cider Mojito
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup cinnamon simple syrup (below)
- 1/4 cup rum (I used Bacardi's Gold Rum)
- Sparkling hard cider (optional)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- a handful of mint leaves
- 1 apple, chopped
- A splash of sparkling water
- Cinnamon sticks for garnish
Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Love this, apple cider mojito, what a great idea. Such a perfect autumn twist on a classic mojito. Good luck with the transition back to work, you’re lucky to have your mother around to help.
Thanks Kristina! I am grateful to have her here with us.
Oh gosh, I am so late to wish you but MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS Zainab! :* :* Your little man is the cutest and it’s so cool that you’re getting back to work again! This Mojito looks SOOOO good! Especially with fall around, these flavors are just PERFECT! <3
Thank you Samina!!
You got this girl! i know it will be hard at first but it will get better!
I know it gets better…this week is getting easier.
Mojitos are my FAVORITE ever! But I never drink them in the winter…UNTIL NOW! Love that you made this fall-friendly! Pinned!
Me too!!
Gosh I seriously can’t even imagine how hard this would be but I know that your baby will never never hate you. He loves his mommy and daddy. And as much as mommy guilt is real, you are such a wonderful role model for your baby and as he grows older he will look up to you so so much for being as amazing as you are. Also this apple cider mojito is seriously genius! So unique. Love it!
Thank you Jocelyn! He did miss me (and I am afraid he will forget me) but we have been enjoying the evenings and gosh the weekend together!!
Aw, hon! I can only imagine how hard this must be for you! I don’t have any answers, all I can do is send you a virtual hug. I hope it all goes well and everybody settles into a new routine quickly and easily. xoxo
It was tough but I made it through 🙂
Aww, Girlfriend! Although I can’t imagine what you are going through, I don’t think he is going to resent you at all! He will grow up PROUD of his mama and all she did to provide for him! I’ll be sending positive vibes your way this week! Anyways, I can’t think of a better libation to sip on than this apple cider mojito! Not only is it GORGEOUS, it sounds absolutely DELICIOUS! It’s only 10:30am here, but I am craving a couple of these! Pinned! Cheers to you, Z! Keep your head up! xo
Thank you dear!! I hope he is proud one day!!
Oh luv. I’m sure you must be feeling very anxious about the whole thing. It must be very hard. I’m so happy your mamma is there to help out. That’s really special. Sending you hugs! XO
Thanks Liz!
Apple cinnamon drink! Lovely 🙂
That is such a tough transition. Naomi and I have been there so we know what it’s like. This awesome drink will help when you get home though:)
It did help me make it through the week!
It’s always hard to go back to work. I feel ya! But somehow things always work out. As for the drink – love how seasonally perfect it is.
Thanks Naomi!
Awh, Z!!! hang in there momma!!! Most mothers have to go through the same thing .. and even though you are sad, this is actually a good thing for E! He’ll learn to be away from you and to be more independent. . and it makes things easier when E has to go to school. . anyway, sending you big hugs from Madison!!! and this apple cider mojito is freaking gorgeous!
It’s just one of the hardest things but you are right, it is good for him. He is binding better with Grandma and they need that since she is not here for long. Thanks dear for the hugs!
I am a huge mojito fan and am always sad when it is not “mojito season”. This is brilliant (and so exciting)!
Best of luck tomorrow!!!
Gorgeous! And I just love those jars!
I’ll be thinking of you this week! From what I’ve heard, the first day is the hardest but it gets much easier. Hopefully you will be able to find a good balance of work and home that will make your time with your sweet baby boy even more special!
Thanks Lauren! The first day was the worst and the second week is much easier. Our evenings are so much more valuable and I am even enjoying those late nights 🙂
Ahhh, motherhood. It’s hard, isn’t it? I stayed home the entire time, and I’m not going to lie, I missed working a lot….just getting out and being with adults like you said. It’s a normal feeling, but then comes the guilt! I could go on and on, but I won’t. 🙂 You’ll find your rhythm and as E gets older it will get easier. You’re always going to be a great mom whether you stay home or work, and that boy is going to love you forever. 🙂
It’s so hard! No one tells you that and makes you love and appreciate your mom even more. Thanks for the kind words of advice…it’s hard either way I am sure. But we are doing our best to make it all work 😉
Aaw hang in there Z! I can only imagine how tough it must be. You’re a great mom and Baby E will always love you. Hoping it all goes well for you and Baby E during this transition. So glad your mom is here to help though. Sending hugs your way! xo
Thanks Kelly!!
I agree, we all need a cocktail to start the week. This apple cider mojito looks just AWESOME.
OMG, I am so with you! I cried Sunday night because I had to go back to work Monday 🙁 It’s so hard to leave those sweet little babies. Drinking your feelings sounds like the right idea! Hope today went well! xoxox
Ahhhh!! It was so so hard but it got better by the end of the week.
Awww I hope the transition goes well. I’ve never experienced it before but I heard that’s one of the hardest moments in life. So hope the first day (week) goes well and glad to have Mom here to help you. This apple cider mojito is perfect to celebrate Monday (or any other days)!
Thanks Linda! It was the hardest thing indeed but it’s for the best!
Hang in there Zainab. It’s so good your mom is there to help out for a while to make the transition easier. I guarantee you will all be fine, and little Elliott will not love you any less! I’ll be thinking of you. Fabulous mojito!
Thanks Mary Ann! He is having fun with my mom 🙂
HUGS Zainab! I wish you had longer mat leave, 10 weeks is so short 🙁 It was definitely hard for me going back to work after having my baby, but at the same time, it was nice to be able to talk to adults. I’m so glad you have your mom there to help you, that will definitely help the transition. I hope your first day went well, and I hope you had a glass of this cider mojito to celebrate! It looks delicious!
Wow, I can’t believe it is time for you to go back to work already. I feel like you just had that sweet boy yesterday. I’m glad you are enjoying time with your mom too. Is it Friday yet? I could use one of these mojitos!
Oh man, I do know how you are feeling!! I was able to stay with Nadia until she was about 18 months old, but when I went back to work it was terrible. She went to someone down the street and I was so scared that she thought I was just abandoning her with a stranger. Trust me though, he will fair better than you think. (I know that’s little comfort), but it’s true. It’s always worse for us than it is for them. One day you will realize you cherish those adults-only moments almost as much as your time with that precious little angel! For now, let’s bring on these amazing mojitos!!
I really liked everything. Thanks, very helpful