The Tucson Jazz Festival, a thirteen-day celebration of all things (you guessed it) jazz, is returning to downtown January 16 with a slew of exciting performers and events.

Maynards Kitchen decided to get the party going a little early this year with two things: the Baked Apple Jazz cocktail and the Libation and Donation program.

On Friday, November 21 at 5pm, you can help celebrate. What does Libation & Donation mean? It’s pretty straightforward. You get a fancy, signature drink, and the festival gets funds to continue promoting jazz music in the community. In addition to tasting the cocktail and supporting this local non-profit, event guests can meet and mingle with some local jazz musicians performing in the festival.

Maynards’ Master Bartender, Eddie Pain, is the mastermind behind the Baked Apple Jazz cocktail.

The “crisp and refreshing drink” consists of Reyka Vodka, the fresh squeezed juice of Willcox apples and simple syrup. Festival board members picked the name Baked Apple Jazz in celebration of the Roaring Twenties when jazz was hot, and hard apple cider was a common find in Speakeasies.

“We’re honored that Maynards would create this commemorative drink to benefit the Tucson Jazz Festival,” said Yvonne Ervin, Executive Director of the festival.  “This launch party is a great way to kick-off the holiday season which leads right into Jazz in January.”

For more information about Maynards Market and Kitchen please visit http://maynardstucson.com or call 520-545-0577 and for more information about the festival and its schedule of events please visit http://tucsonjazzfestival.org.