Skip The Drive: These Are The Best Places To Order Alcohol Online
If you didn't already order your alcohol online, there's a good chance you're thinking about starting now. With the current shelter in place recommendations, delivery is the way to go when it comes to gathering essentials — and alcohol certainly falls under that category. Whether you're into craft beer, natural wine, or special spirits, these are the best services and subscriptions that will send your desired beverages right to your door. What are you waiting for?
For quick (often under an hour) delivery and tons of options, look to Drizly. The massive digital marketplace partners with alcohol retailers in over 100 American cities to offer a huge selection of wine, beer, and spirits. Choices range from large distribution brands to small, local makers, and you can add mixers, soda, and snacks to your online or app order.
Los Angeles-based Saucey promises 30-minute delivery or two-day shipping in New York City, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and a handful of California metropolitan areas. The service puts a strong focus on spirits, so it's a great place to shop for specific bottles of tequila, whiskey, and vodka. It does offer a lovely assortment of wine and beer as well.
The Original Craft Beer Club, from $43/shipment
Instead of one-off alcohol runs, consider recurring deliveries of curated beer from America's top microbreweries. You can opt for monthly, every other month, or quarterly shipments that include either 12 or 24 beers. Each subscription box features four different styles of beer from craft breweries across the country, allowing you to taste flavors you've never had before.
Monthly wine boxes designed to cater to your preferences are the specialty at Winc. The brand's six-question quiz helps determine the bottles you receive, and you have the opportunity to rate each shipment to help further customize future deliveries. The wines featured are often created with minimal intervention techniques and sustainable farming methods.
Spirits lovers get the opportunity to try rare, unique bottles with Flaviar. The quarterly subscription includes three generous sample vials and one full-sized bottle per shipment, so you get to be adventurous and enjoy a safe pick each time. The Flaviar experts are happy to provide personalized recommendations, whether you're after Japanese whiskey or cognac, so the possibility of discovery is endless.
Firstleaf is similar to Winc in that a palate quiz informs the first six bottles you're sent and your ratings improve the chances you'll love future wine deliveries. Subscribers have access to the Wine Concierge team that can chat about pairings, varietals, and flavor profiles. Plus, there's a handy online guide that informs on grapes, growing regions, and popular questions.
Low-ABV drinking is all the rage, and Haus is here to get you on board. The Sonoma-born beverage brand has concocted a line of apéritifs, a liquor that naturally has a lower lever of alcohol. Made with natural fruits, herbs, and botanicals, Haus apéritifs are equally delicious straight on the rocks or mixed with tonic. Memberships, which include exclusive flavors and events, start at one bottle per month.
The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club, from $29.95/month
Each month, this subscription box spotlights two lightly distributed domestic breweries. Along with 12 beers from these artisans, members receive a comprehensive Malt of the Earth newsletter with detailed tasting notes, beer profiles, brewery histories, and suggested food pairings. If you're in it for the education, this 26-year-old club is a wise choice.