Amazon launches 1-hour alcohol delivery service in the U.S.

In about the same amount of time it takes to watch an episode of Mad Men, you can now get everything you need to stir up an Old Fashioned of your own without ever leaving the house.

But only if you live in Seattle and are a member of Amazon Prime.

Sorry.

The online shopping juggernaut announced this week that it is officially rolling out its Prime Now service, which offers one-hour delivery on "groceries, gifts, goodies and more from your favorite local stores," in its own hometown.

While already available in select areas of cities including New York, Portland, Miami, Atlanta and Chicago, Amazon Prime customers in Seattle will be the first in the U.S. to have the option of ordering alcohol through the service's mobile app.

Two-hour delivery on beer, spirits, wine and other items purchased through the service is free for those with a $99-a-year Prime membership, while one-hour delivery costs $7.99 US — though some subscribers have reported much quicker delivery times for the latter option.

Amazon didn't reveal any plans to deliver fast booze beyond Seattle and its surrounding areas in its media release on Tuesday, but even the idea that it could do so eventually has set of a flurry of online activity.

Some are concerned about the impact that a one-hour alcohol delivery service could have on humanity and on their own motivations for ever leaving the house again, not to mention issues related to underage drinking, local business and addiction.

Others are just thrilled by the prospect of keeping future keg parties going without anyone having to make a beer run (though it should be noted that Prime Now only delivers between 8 a.m. and midnight.) 

Like Canadians, most U.S. residents can't yet order alcohol through the service.

But those who live in cities where Prime Now is available can still get one-deliveries on "tens of thousands of items," including milk, ice cream, toilet paper, televisions and, apparently, whole cooked ducks.

When asked directly about whether Amazon will be bringing its "one-hour booze barge" beyond Seattle, a company spokesperson told Buzzfeed News: "Like with any product offering, we will evaluate customer response and if customers love the convenience of having alcohol delivered in under an hour right to their doors then we'll look to expand the offering."