Abstract: Aliphatic alcohol compositions that burn with a luminous flame. Lower aliphatic alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, and propanol burn with an essentially colorless flame. This is particularly hazardous when such alcohols are used as fuels for racing cars or other motor vehicles. If such alcohol fuels ignite during, for example, refueling or following a collision, the fire may initially go unnoticed because of virtually colorless flames. The alcohol compositions of the invention contain alcohol-soluble metal compounds such as compounds of sodium, barium and boron, which impart luminosity to the flames of such alcohol compositions. The alcohol compositions of the invention find utility as fuels for racing cars or other motor vehicles, as fuels for alcohol stoves and in other applications where lack of a luminous flame creates a safety hazard.