Is ethanol a element or compound or mixture?

A compound, but it invariably occurs as a mixturewith water due to it being strongly hygroscopic. With the exception of laboratory grade 100% ethyl alcohol (which will not stay that pure once the bottle has been opened), ethyl alcohol always contains 5% or more water. Also ethyl alcohol not intended for human consumption is usually a mixture including denaturants (poisons intended to discourage people from trying to drink it). Also ethyl alcohol in beverages is a very complex mixture of flavoring and coloring materials, water, etc.