Austin-Made Tito's Vodka Discourages Its Use For DIY Sanitizer

AUSTIN, TX — Tito's Handmade Vodka, an Austin-made elixir, is good for many things — the Hill Country Sunrise suffused with equal parts orange and cranberry juice, the TitoRita with pickle and jalapeño Infusion or as a smooth and clean base to the traditional Bloody Mary or Screwdriver.

What's it's not good for is an ingredient for do-it-yourself sanitizing gel in light of a citywide shortage due to the new coronavirus panic. And yet, distillery officials on Thursday found themselves in the awkward position of having to clarify this mistaken notion after a fan blasted his DIY project on social media.

This is, decidedly, not adherent to Centers for Disease and Prevention guidelines, Tito's Handmade Vodka officials were forced to say in a prepared statement to discourage the practice. "Per the CDC, hand sanitizer needs to contain at least 60 percent alcohol," Tito's Handmade Vodka tweeted. "Tito's Handmade Vodka is 40 percent alcohol, and therefore does not meet the current recommendation of the CDC."

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Washing the hands with soap and water is the best prevention against the respiratory ailment renamed COVID-19, Tito's Handmade Vodka officials added in referencing official guidelines. It should also be added the hygienic practice should involve forceful scrubbing that lasts at least 20 seconds, per health officials' guidelines.

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Store shelves across the city — and all over the country, for that matter — are bereft of hand sanitizers in light of a global outbreak of the respiratory ailment. COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past, health officials have explained.

Those same health officials also advise against creating DIY hand sanitizers — with or without Tito's Handmade Vodka — amid countless recipes sprouting across the Internet landscape and in YouTube videos featuring detailed step-by-step instructions.

CNN reported the World Health Organization does provide an official guide to making hand sanitizer at home, but the practice is discouraged as it's intended for populations with a dearth of clean water or other medical-grade products in place, the news network reported. The trouble with making a homemade hand sanitizing gel at home, CNN reported, is that health officials have advised the make-it-yourself variety could be harmful if prepared incorrectly.

The admonishment was likely the last thing the distiller anticipated having to address, coming the day before the opening of its third annual Tito's Prize Exhibition, Rock Standard Time featuring winner Betelhem Makonnen. Yet having dispelled the notion of a vodka-based version, officials at Tito's are now focused on even more pleasant things — namely the Saturday grand opening of Love, the distillery's first brick-and-mortar retail store in downtown Austin.

Related story: Winner Of Third Annual Tito's Prize Named In Austin

Officials described the store as "...homage to the spirit an people of the city that have helped Tito's get to where it is today" since its founding 22 years ago. Officially open for business on Saturday, March 7, the store will sell branded gear and serve as a community space for Tito’s programming, live music and nonprofit events, officials said. Tito's officials said the store opening represents an important milestone for the company "...as the brand continues to focus on connecting with fans in real life and raising awareness of its philanthropic work."

Similar to the Tito’s webstore, net proceeds from every purchase made at the retail store will benefit a nonprofit of the customer’s choice, which they’ll select from a list of participating organizations at checkout, officials explained. "From local Austinites to the 27.4 million annual Austin visitors, Tito’s hopes to encourage more people to live out the brand’s mission to turn spirits into love and goodness," Tito's said.

Store elements include:

• A Vodka for Dog People section complete with an Instagram-ready dog photo booth;
• a Love, Tito’s give-back component where customers can select the nonprofit that their purchase benefits
• a lounge space complete with a TV screen of trivia, photos and video content from the brand’s early days;
• an interactive map featuring downtown bars and restaurants that serve a mean Tito’s cocktail
• some classic true-to-Austin neon signage.

The store at 215 Lavaca St. in the AMLI building is located at the corner of West 3rd at its Lavaca address. After it's March 7 grand opening, the store will be open on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.