A polyol method was used to prepare Cu/ZnO catalysts for alcohol-assisted low temperature methanol synthesis from syngas. Unlike conventional low temperature methanol synthesis, ethanol was employed both as a solvent and a reaction intermediate. Catalyst characterization revealed that Cu/ZnO catalysts were successfully and efficiently prepared using the polyol method. Various preparation conditions such as PVP concentration and identity of ZnO precursor strongly influenced the catalytic activity of Cu/ZnO catalysts. Copper dispersion and catalyst morphology played key roles in determining the catalytic performance of the Cu/ZnO catalyst in alcohol-assisted low temperature methanol synthesis. A high copper dispersion and platelike Cu/ZnO structure led to high catalytic activity. Among the catalysts tested, 5_Cu/ZnO_Zn(Ac)2 had the best catalytic performance due to its high copper dispersion.