In separation of benzene, toluene, and xylenes from reformate by extractive fractionation, the solvent, consisting of N-methylpyrrolidone and sulfolane (70:30) is more effective than each of the components separately. C-6-C-8 aromatic hydrocarbons are separated with a yield of 99.8 wt. % by extraction fractionation and subsequent extraction of benzene residues from distillate with sulfolane:N-methylpyrrolidone solvent (90:10 wt.) with a total mass ratio to the feedstock of 2.8:1.