A method for obtaining ethanol from a feed solution utilizes an extractant comprising a mixture of at least one alkane and at least one aliphatic alcohol having the formula ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.7 each independently represent H or a straight chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sup.6 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or taken together R.sup.3 and R.sup.6 represent an alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and m and n independently represent 0, 1, 2, or 3, with the proviso that if R.sup.4 represents H, then at least two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3, or at least one of R.sup.5 and R.sup.7, are straight chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.