Does Instacart Deliver Alcohol? Yes, Here’s How It Works

Does Instacart Deliver Alcohol?

Yes, Instacart delivers alcohol. Since 2013, the service has included alcohol delivery, expanding its offerings beyond groceries. Instacart is available in 5,500 cities across the United States and Canada, with recent expansions increasing the locations where alcohol delivery is available.

Does Instacart Deliver Just Beer and Wine?

Instacart’s alcohol delivery includes more than just beer and wine. Depending on local state laws, you can order domestic and imported beers, hard seltzers, wines, and in some areas, spirits.

To see what’s available in your area, you can browse the alcohol category on Instacart’s platform. They also offer cocktail accessories like mixers, syrups, rimmers, picks, and even home brewing fermentation kits for DIY enthusiasts.

Which States Allow Alcohol Delivery Through Instacart?

Historically, different states have had different laws and policies regarding the delivery of alcohol.

In the past, several states banned the delivery of alcohol entirely or restricted it exclusively to direct orders from select retailers.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic and social-distancing guidelines, many states have loosened their restrictions on alcohol delivery.

Before the pandemic, for example, Delaware and Rhode Island restricted alcohol delivery to direct purchases from a store.

But these states recently began to allow cocktail delivery from bars in an effort to support and encourage social-distancing.

Mississippi and Kentucky are two other states where alcohol delivery was banned very recently.

However, during the pandemic, their legislatures passed bills allowing online purchase and delivery of alcohol.

Instacart has not yet expanded to these states, but it is a possibility in the future.

Utah is the one state where the delivery of alcohol through services like Instacart or even directly from the retailer is still prohibited.

There is a possibility that this may change in the future.

But for now, if you live in Utah, you will not be able to enjoy Instacart’s alcohol delivery service.

Instacart is always expanding its alcohol service where laws allow for it.

If you live in one of the following areas, you will be able to order alcohol online from your local store of choice.

• Alabama
• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Texas
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.
• Wyoming

As Instacart is always seeking to expand service, this list is likely to grow in the future.

Does Instacart Markup Prices On Alcohol?

No, but you may find that prices are sometimes higher on Instacart than what you’d find in the store.

Instacart reports that retailers are in charge of the prices of any items they offer on the platform.

This means that if a price online is different from the in-store price, this will be due to retailer adjustment.

To determine how a retailer is adjusting its prices, you can visit the Pricing Policy page available on the retailer’s Instacart page.

What Are The Instacart Alcohol Delivery Rules?

Unlike ordering food or home essentials, the process of ordering alcohol online comes with some key requirements.

Instacart has its alcohol policy listed on its website; read on for more information on what you need for alcohol delivery.

Alcohol Policies

First, make sure that you will be at home during the time of delivery.

Instacart will require the signature of someone aged 21 years or older upon delivery of alcoholic beverages.

Second, be sure to have a valid form of ID ready.

You will need proof that you are of the legal age to buy alcohol.

That means your ID will need to show the year you were born and a recent photograph of your face.

Third, Instacart cannot complete a delivery if the recipient is visibly intoxicated.

So be sure to order everything you need before your event or party begins.

Alcohol Delivery

The process for Instacart alcohol delivery is just as streamlined and simple as their grocery delivery service.

• First, place an order through Instacart’s mobile app or website.
• Once you finalize your order, Instacart will send a personal shopper to shop at the store for you.
• After the shopper has fulfilled your order, they or another shopper will then deliver the items personally to your address.

There are several fees to be aware of when placing an order.

You will likely see a delivery fee on your receipt unless you are a member of Instacart Express and have ordered more than $35 worth of items.

Another common charge is the service fee, which is designed to cover Instacart’s operating costs.

Alcohol deliveries incur an additional alcohol service fee.

You can avoid service fees by using Instacart Pickup, a service that allows you to order items through Instacart and then pick them up in one package at the store yourself.

You will have the option of tipping your personal shoppers.

The tip defaults to 5% of the price of your order and will be sent directly to the shopper who assisted you.

Valid Forms of Identification

The following types of personal identification will be accepted by Instacart.

• State-issued driver’s license or identification card
• Military identification card
• US passport (not valid in California or for Costco and Walmart orders)
• Green card (not valid in California, Washington, Missouri, and Minnesota, or for Costco and Walmart orders)

Make sure that your document is up to date, as Instacart will not accept expired IDs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions related to Instacart, as well as similar personal shopper delivery services.

Save Time with Instacart Alcohol Delivery

The best thing about Instacart alcohol delivery is how convenient it is when you’re too busy to run to the store.

If you are in one of the states where Instacart delivers alcohol, check out your options today and enjoy the ease of ordering your beverage of choice from your phone, tablet, or computer.