Nestled in the land of 7th-generation Texans, a pair of twin sisters and their families bottle the clear liquor by hand while music weaves through the family's distillery. After, everyone will kick back for family "Toddi Time," a tradition where family and friends relax and chat, usually with a fresh drink in hand.

The memories of Toddi times while growing up around New Braunfels inspired the twin Texas Tech alumns, Allison Love and Jennifer Ritz, to name their newest business venture Toddi Vodka.

"Toddi Time, for us, is kind of a throwback to take time to sit down, don't mess with your phone, and just connect," Ritz said. "You're sitting here and talking, connecting, and catching up. Toddi time was togetherness."

Love added that they still have this reconnecting time with their children.

"If there's a shortage of anything nowadays, it's quality time," Love said. "One of our favorite quotes from one of our favorite singers, Willie Nelson, said 'Be here. Be present. Wherever you are, be there.' That's kind of the embodiment of what like to think about when someone would enjoy our vodka."

How Toddi Vodka began, and where it hopes to go next

Crafted in the Long Creek Distillery in Granbury, the journey began when Love's husband, Doug, wanted to start making whiskey.

"My husband started coming up with an idea to build a small distillery and have it as a hobby," Love said. "But, like everything my husband does, it quickly turned way larger."

Long Creek Distillery is currently 65,000 sq. ft., has three stills, a packing facility and a shipping and receiving center. They plan to keep building.

Whiskey takes years to mature, so they decided to make something else in the meantime. At first, the sisters wanted to make ready to drink cocktails, then make a straight vodka line. When 2020 hit, they could not get their bottling line set, so they decided to introduce vodka first.

Their childhood also helped them create the designs for the bottles, which are modeled after Mexican Otomi styles. Each bottle features icons from Texas, and symbols that match the drinks' flavors.

"We have so many people say it doesn't even look like a vodka label," Ritz said. "It's loud, colorful, and unforgettable, like my sister and I."

Toddi Vodka started to hit shelves in May of 2022 with four flavors - a classic unflavored small batch, lemon-lime, mint and vanilla cream. Since then, Toddi has made its way into stores across the Fort Worth and Lubbock areas.

Ritz, who lives in Lubbock and is the associate editor for the Texas Techsan, mentioned Toddi can be found in Lubbock.

"Lubbock always was going to be in (our distribution), because it is not only my home, but all of our homes, like my sister, her husband, because we're all Red Raiders," Ritz said. "We've been welcomed with open arms."

Some restaurants are carrying Toddi Vodka in Lubbock, including the Overton, Chimy's, Miguel's, Stellas, Funky Door and Buffalo Wild Wings. Love also encouraged people to request Toddi at their liquor store or favorite restaurant.

The new business has received international recognition, earning medals in the Great American International and San Francisco World Spirits Competition's vodka categories. The Vanilla Cream flavor also earned best in show at a spirits competition in New York.

"Our Vanilla Cream has been one that we see picked up most often, and the Mint behind that," Ritz said. "I urge people to try the flavored vodkas."

All of their drinks are free of artificial flavors, gluten-free, low-calorie and made with American-grown corn.

More flavors, and a line of ready to drink cocktails, will be coming in the new year. People can keep up with Toddi Vodka at toddicocktails.com, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

The website offers recipes, including one for Lubbock's classic Chilton.

Just like the upcoming ready-to-drink cocktail bottles say, "Drink up, y'all. It's Toddi Time."

Alana Edgin is a journalist covering Business News in Lubbock and the surrounding area. Send her a news tip at aedgin@lubbockonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Twin Texas Tech alums create Toddi Vodka in Granbury, available now