<p>A process is described for the production of an alkyl glycoside which comprises distilling a higher alcohol in the presence of an alkaline substance, or washing a higher alcohol with an aqueous solution of an alkaline substance, and then reacting the higher alcohol with a sugar or a reaction product of a sugar and a lower alcohol. According to this process, an alkyl glycoside showing an excellent hue can be produced by repeatedly using unreacted alcohol recovered from the reaction mixture in the production of an alkyl glycoside.</p>
