Alcohol Appearance: Color, Clarity & Viscosity by Type

Physical properties of common alcohols:

Ethanol (Beverage Alcohol)

• Color: Colorless (pure); yellow/amber if aged/impure.
• Clarity: Clear at high proof (>40% ABV); slight haze at lower proof.
• Viscosity: Low; increases with water content.

Methanol (Wood Alcohol)

• Colorless, clear, lower viscosity than ethanol.

Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol)

• Colorless (may have bluish tint), clear, higher viscosity than ethanol.

Glycerin (Glycerol)

• Colorless/pale yellow, clear, very high viscosity (syrupy).

Impurities, additives, aging, and dilution alter appearance.