Glycol ethers are made by a process in which an alcohol, an alkylene oxide and a catalytic amount of an aromatic, heterocyclic amine catalyst are contacted under reactive conditions. Representative catalysts include substituted and unsubstituted pyridines and imidazoles. The process uses known oxides and alcohols, and produces more mono- and di-adduct products than does a corresponding process using a caustic catalyst. Moreover, the process can be conducted at a lower reaction temperature than a corresponding process using a caustic catalyst without sacrificing oxide conversion rates yet producing fewer carbonyl impurities.