Click and sip.

Booze sales are going online in Ontario as LCBO.com has launched web sales for 5,000 products from Canada and 85 countries as the provincial government continues its liberalization of alcohol retailing.

Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the online sales will allow customers to buy products they may not find in their local stores, making for more "virtual" shelf space.

Thirsty Ontarians will also have the choice of having their purchases delivered to their homes by Canada Post, with identification checks and a $12 fee for a minimum order of $50, or free of charge to an LCBO of their choice

Sousa said in a statement that the online sales, promised months ago and in testing for several months, "gives consumers greater choice and convenience while increasing opportunities for Ontario's dynamic beverage alcohol producers."

The site went live at midnight and 22 orders were placed before 9 a.m., LCBO officials said.

Sousa said online sales could expand to 16,000 products within a year.

The effort is a "natural extension" of the LCBO store network, said liquor store president George Soleas.

It follows an agreement last week by Premier Kathleen Wynne, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard to greater choice, convenience and expanded access to wines from their provinces through online ordering.

Home deliveries will be made in two to three days, and four to 12 days when shipped to LCBO stores.

Ontario began beer sales in some Ontario supermarket sales in December, added ciders in June and will begin supermarket wine sales this fall.