“He has impeccable taste” - Neil Patrick Harris credits husband David Burtka for his love for cocktails

Neil Patrick Harris, 51, and David Burtka, 49, are taking their partnership beyond their personal life. They collaborated to co-write a new book, Both Sides of the Glass: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste.

The couple unveiled their upcoming book cover during an exclusive conversation with People. One of the most exciting offerings of the new release is that it caters to both drinkers and non-drinkers.

While speaking with the outlet, the How I Met Your Mother star acknowledged his partner's ability to recognize flavors in a drink. He said:

"[David] studied with some of the greats, so he's able to recognize and reference very subtle and nuanced flavors."

He further continued,

"I think one of my favorite things about David is his ability to be flavor-forward. He has, well, I will say it succinctly — he has impeccable taste."

Both Sides of the Glass: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste's writers, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, revealed the book's cover in an Instagram collaboration post with Dutton Books.

The couple announced the exciting launch, penning details in the caption. It read,

"We made a book! BOTH SIDES OF THE GLASS: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste is a guide to delicious drinks with and without alcohol, because everyone deserves to have special sips!"

The caption further detailed,

"We’ve spent years consuming incredible cocktails and getting frustrated at the lack of options for the sober, so we came up with 70 perfectly paired boozy cocktails and spirit-free mocktails!"

Neil Patrick Harris reflected on his new book

Neil Patrick Harris has always been passionate about the mixology process. Recalling the time when he took classes from a mixologist, he shared,

"I've always loved the process of mixology. In fact, one of David's birthday presents for me one year was lessons with a mixologist in New York who taught me about the different types of alcohols and what to pair with them. And so it's always been fun in an alchemy way for me to mix drinks."

While he likes sipping on his favorite cocktails, it has been eight years since David turned sober.

"David, however, is not an alcohol drinker, and so we wanted to, we thought that there was a good opportunity to be able to educate people about the spirit free cocktail world without it having to be an either-or situation."

The co-authors included 70 recipes, based on themes of the four elements: fire, earth, water, and air. 35 alcoholic concoctions have been complemented with 35 spirit-free blends. From smooth cocktails to revitalizing mocktails, this book brims with unique drink recipes perfect for toast-worthy moments.

While expressing his experience of the writing journey, David pointed out how bars and parties rarely offer varied options for mocktails.

He said during the interview,

"I'm eight years sober, so I got really annoyed with every time that I'd go to a party or even a bar and the only options for me were sparkling water with lime, or sodas, or really sugary mocktails. And I don't do the real sugary mocktails."

Burtka also admitted how his European travel diaries inspired him to incorporate a few recipes into the book.

"[Europeans] do a really nice mocktail, for sure, they really use a lot of teas and different kinds of infusions, which I had fun creating in the book."

Both Sides of the Glass: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste is set to release on September 30, 2025.