I saw this hadith quoted by Mufti Ebrahim Desai in an AskImam.com fatwa 6408:
Furthermore, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, 'Alcohol itself is prohibited and intoxication in every other beverage.' (Hidaaya vol. 4 p. 497).
Question: Is this hadith authentic?
It probably is, since it was quoted in this fatwa. It was also in two other AskImam.com fatawa by the same author (10687 and 6) but the quotes are identical.
My Google-fu didn't help here. I don't know what "Hidaaya" is, but if it's this http://www.alhidaaya.com/sw/, then it's not in English. Google says it's Swahili.
It's also available from IslamQA.org (and the other two mentioned are here and here). This is the text of the fatwa:
Category: Food
Fatwa#: 6408
Asked Country: Canada
Answered Date: Aug 13, 2002
Title: Are coke and soft drinks haraam or mushkook(doubtful)? Please reply!
Question
I recently received a copy of Mujlisul Ulama 25 page document in english regarding their fatwa against comsumption of all coke and carbonated drinks due to the syrups being extracted with alcholic slovents. I read on your website other fatwas, but an still confused? Is it mushkook, halaal, haraam? are you a part of this Mujlesul Ulama? Do They have any email contact? I can also forward you the documents via email if necessary.
Answer
Principally, if the alcohol is extracted from grapes or dates it is not permissible. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Khamr (wine) is from these two trees, dates and grapes.’ (Mishkãt p. 317).
Furthermore, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Alcohol itself is prohibited and intoxication in every other beverage.’ (Hidaaya vol. 4 p. 497).
In view of the abovementioned Hadith, since the alcohol in coke is from ethanol which is fermented from sugar cane mollasses and does not intoxicate, it is permissible. However, if one is doubtful, he may exercise precaution and abstain.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
The hadith itself is copy/pasted all over the web: e.g. these forums IslamicTeachings.org; SearchQuran.com; MuftiSays.com; PakLinks.com; IslamicBoard.com; Islam.SE, but they are all almost identical.
(I ask because it arose for my answer to this question Haraam or Halal? - Coke and Pepsi contain 0.001% Alcohol)