Good tests for phenols are:
1) Add bromine water (Br2(aq)) and gelatinous white precipitate is formed and bromine water is discolourised.
2) Add neutral FeCl3(aq) and a purpley colour is formed (usually).
When you do these tests on ethanol nothing happens (no precipitate is formed with Br2(aq) and it is not discolourised, and the FeCl3(aq) remains yellow).
Also some phenols will react with Na2CO3(aq) to form CO2(g) (acid test so nothing happens with ethanol) but this is not a good test for phenols.