A method for synthesizing alkyl glucosides by the acetalization of sugars, particularly glucose, with alcohols in excess and subsequent separation of the excess alcohol by extraction, the extraction being carried out with an extraction agent, which is close to the critical point at a reduced pressure in the range of 0.8 to 1.3 and preferably of 0.9 to 1.2 at pressures, which are selected so that the density of the extraction agent, which is close to the critical point, is greater than 180 kg/m.sup.3.