Getting your favorite beer, wine or spirits delivered right to your door is now possible in many parts of the country thanks to Instacart. The popular grocery delivery service has expanded into alcohol e-commerce in recent years, making it more convenient than ever to responsibly enjoy adult beverages at home.
But before you go adding a bottle of cabernet or a 6-pack of craft beer to your Instacart order, there are some important things to know. Alcohol delivery comes with extra rules and restrictions to ensure compliance with state and local laws. Availability also varies widely based on where you live.
To help you navigate the ins and outs of Instacart alcohol delivery, we‘ve put together this comprehensive guide. Consider this your inside scoop on where the service is available, how the ordering and delivery process works, and what you can expect when using Instacart to stock your bar in 2024 and beyond.
Where Does Instacart Deliver Alcohol?
As of 2024, Instacart offers alcohol delivery in 23 states plus Washington D.C.:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
This is a significant expansion from just a few years ago, reflecting the rapid growth of alcohol e-commerce. However, it‘s important to note that even within these states, not every city or ZIP code has alcohol delivery available.
Local regulations around the sale and delivery of alcohol vary widely. Some states allow beer and wine delivery, but not liquor. Others restrict alcohol delivery to certain days of the week or times of day. And some jurisdictions prohibit it altogether.
To see if Instacart alcohol delivery is available in your area, open the Instacart app or website and look for the alcohol hub. You can find it under the search bar on the homepage. If you don‘t see an alcohol hub, that means delivery isn‘t an option where you live – at least not yet.
How to Order Alcohol on Instacart
If you‘ve used Instacart before, the process of ordering alcohol will be very familiar. It‘s almost exactly the same as shopping for groceries, with just a few extra steps for age verification.
Here‘s how it works:
1. Shop for alcohol in the app or on the website. You can browse by store to see the alcohol selection at your favorite local retailers, or head directly to the alcohol hub to shop across multiple stores at once. Instacart makes it easy to find what you‘re looking for with filters for type of alcohol, price range, brand and more.
2. Add your selections to your cart. Once you‘ve found the beer, wine or liquor you want, just click "Add to Cart" like you would for any other grocery item. There‘s no limit on how much alcohol you can purchase, but keep in mind that large quantities may require a longer delivery window or additional Instacart shoppers to fulfill the order.
3. Enter your date of birth at checkout. This is the first of two age verification checkpoints. Before you can complete your order, Instacart requires you to enter your date of birth to confirm that you are at least 21 years old. But don‘t think you can get away with using a fake birthday – more on that later.
4. Choose a delivery time and place your order. After entering your birthday, the rest of the checkout process is the same as a regular Instacart order. Select a delivery window (usually a 1-hour slot), add delivery instructions, enter your payment info, and place your order. Don‘t forget to add a tip for your shopper!
5. Be available to accept the delivery. This is important. With alcohol delivery, an adult 21 or older must be present to accept the order in person. Unlike regular grocery orders, alcohol can‘t be left unattended at your door. Your delivery driver will check your ID and verify that it matches the birthday you provided at checkout.
If you‘re not home at the scheduled delivery time or can‘t provide a valid ID, the alcohol will go back with the driver and your order will only be partially refunded. You‘ll still be charged for delivery fees and the shopper‘s tip.
That‘s all there is to it! While it does require a few extra steps, ordering alcohol on Instacart is still incredibly easy and convenient, especially compared to hauling heavy bottles and cases from the store.
Rules for Instacart Alcohol Delivery
Now that you know the basics of how to order, let‘s get into the nitty gritty of Instacart‘s alcohol delivery rules and restrictions. These policies are in place to ensure that Instacart and its retail partners fully comply with all applicable laws and promote responsible drinking.
Delivery is only available to adults 21+. You must be at least 21 years old to order alcohol on Instacart, with no exceptions. As mentioned above, you‘ll need to enter your date of birth at checkout and show a valid government-issued photo ID to the delivery driver before they can hand off the order. Acceptable forms of ID include a driver‘s license, state ID card, military ID, or passport.
Your ID will be scanned for authenticity. Instacart delivery drivers use a proprietary ID scanner to verify the authenticity of your identification and confirm it hasn‘t expired. The scanner checks the ID format, expiration date, barcode, and other security features. Instacart keeps an encrypted record of the scan for auditing and compliance purposes.
Visibly intoxicated customers cannot accept delivery. Even if you‘re over 21 and have a valid ID, Instacart delivery drivers can refuse to complete the delivery if you appear visibly intoxicated when receiving the order. It‘s against the law to sell or furnish alcohol to intoxicated individuals. Don‘t shoot the messenger – they‘re just doing their job!
No unattended alcohol deliveries, ever. Instacart does not allow its shoppers to leave alcohol orders unattended, even if you‘ve provided "leave at my door" instructions. Someone over 21 must be available to accept the delivery in person during the scheduled time window and show ID. The only exception is for orders containing a mix of alcohol and groceries – in that case, your shopper can leave the groceries at your door, but will have to return any alcohol if you‘re not available to verify your age.
Certain product restrictions may apply. Depending on your state and local laws, Instacart may restrict the sale of certain types or sizes of alcohol. For example, some states cap the alcohol content of beer and wine that can be sold online and delivered to consumers. Similarly, many states don‘t allow the delivery of miniature "nip" bottles or large-format bottles over 1.75 liters. When browsing the Instacart alcohol selection in your area, you‘ll only see products that comply with all applicable restrictions.
Cut-off times for same-day delivery vary. Each retailer has its own rules around the latest time of day you can place an order for same-day alcohol delivery. Some stores stop taking orders as early as 3:00 pm to ensure there‘s time to verify age and complete the delivery before close of business. When selecting your delivery window, keep an eye out for cut-off times and plan accordingly.
These rules may seem strict, but they‘re essential for making sure alcohol delivery is safe, legal, and responsible. Instacart takes compliance very seriously and empowers its shoppers to refuse delivery if anything seems off.
Where to Buy Alcohol on Instacart
Instacart has partnered with a wide range of national, regional, and local retailers to offer alcohol delivery. The exact list of stores available in your area will depend on your state‘s liquor laws and the partnerships Instacart has in place.
Here are some of the national chains that sell alcohol on Instacart:
- Albertsons
- Aldi
- BevMo!
- Costco
- CVS
- Kroger
- Publix
- Ralphs
- Rite Aid
- Sam‘s Club
- Safeway
- Shaw‘s
- Target
- Trader Joe‘s
- Vons
- Walmart
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods Market
- 7-Eleven
In addition to these big names, Instacart also works with many smaller regional grocers and independent liquor stores to provide local delivery. In some markets, you can even order alcohol from convenience stores and pharmacies through Instacart.
No matter where you shop, you‘ll find an extensive selection of beer, wine, and spirits to choose from. Instacart makes it easy to stock up on your favorite brands and discover new ones with personalized recommendations based on your purchase history.
Instacart‘s Focus on Responsible Alcohol Delivery
Delivering alcohol comes with a lot more responsibility and potential liability than dropping off a gallon of milk. That‘s why Instacart has invested heavily in training and technology to ensure that alcohol orders are fulfilled safely and legally.
All Instacart shoppers who deliver alcohol must be at least 21 years old themselves and complete a mandatory Responsible Alcohol Delivery course. The training covers topics like how to check IDs, recognizing signs of intoxication, and what to do if a delivery cannot be completed.
Instacart has also developed proprietary ID scanning software to verify the authenticity of customer identification. The mobile app that shoppers use prompts them to scan the front and back of the customer‘s ID and checks it against a database of valid formats. Any expired, fake or invalid IDs will be flagged and the delivery will not proceed.
Furthermore, Instacart maintains detailed records of the ID scans and other delivery data. This information is encrypted and stored securely in case it is needed for auditing or compliance purposes. Instacart works closely with its retail partners and state regulators to make sure all alcohol deliveries are above board.
Thanks to these rigorous safety and compliance measures, Instacart has an excellent track record with alcohol delivery. The company takes pride in being a responsible operator in this space and setting an example for other e-commerce businesses to follow.
Online Alcohol Sales Are Poised for Growth
While online sales still only make up a small percentage of total alcohol purchases, the category has seen explosive growth in recent years. Fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving consumer preferences, more and more people are turning to the internet to order their favorite adult beverages.
Industry analysts expect this trend to continue in 2024 and beyond. Online alcohol sales in the United States are projected to exceed $40 billion by 2025, up from just $1.6 billion in 2017. Globally, the market could be worth over $100 billion in the next decade.
Instacart is well positioned to capitalize on this growth. The company has established itself as a leader in online grocery and household essentials delivery, with alcohol as a natural extension of that business. By partnering with top liquor retailers and offering a wide selection, competitive prices, and fast delivery, Instacart is making it easier than ever for consumers to shop for alcohol online.
At the same time, Instacart faces plenty of competition in the alcohol delivery space. Other major players include Drizly, Minibar, and Saucey, as well as the in-house delivery services of retailers like Total Wine & More and BevMo!. Many of these companies got their start specializing in alcohol delivery and have built up extensive logistics networks and regulatory expertise.
To stay ahead of the curve, Instacart will need to continue investing in the alcohol vertical with expanded geographic coverage, new retail partnerships, and enhanced product features. The company recently introduced a new "Shake for a Cocktail" feature that gives customers personalized drink recommendations when they shake their phone. Expect more innovation like this as Instacart looks to differentiate itself in an increasingly crowded market.
The Bottom Line on Instacart Alcohol
So, can you get alcohol delivered by Instacart in 2024? The answer is a resounding yes – as long as you live in one of the 23 states (plus Washington D.C.) where the service is currently available.
Ordering alcohol on Instacart is a simple, convenient, and safe way to stock your home bar without ever leaving the house. Whether you‘re looking for a bottle of wine to pair with dinner, a 12-pack for the big game, or the ingredients for your favorite cocktail, chances are you can find it on Instacart.
Just remember that alcohol delivery comes with some extra rules and restrictions. You‘ll need to be 21 or older with a valid ID, be present to accept the delivery in person, and not appear visibly intoxicated. Instacart takes these requirements very seriously to promote responsible drinking and comply with all applicable laws.
So go ahead and raise a glass to the magic of alcohol delivery. With Instacart, getting your drink on has never been easier. Shop responsibly and enjoy!
