The alcohol in listerine is ethanol, the same as in beer, liquor and wine.(not methanol as earlier stated). I read an article in the newspaper where a DOCTOR, said it was probably no worse for you than drinking forified wine(which, I'll agree is pretty shitty for you). I wouldn't drink listerine, and I agree it's pretty messed up to do so, but it isn't nearly as bad for you as people are making it out to be. At least in the opinion of one doctor.