Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and a cocktail pun adds a twist to everyday clues and a music reference. Pull up a chair and enjoy the wordplay.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: 1A is the trickiest clue because “Old-fashioned” steers you toward something outdated, while the question mark signals a different reading.
Gimme Clue: 6A is the easiest foothold, a breakfast order with no toppings to complicate it.
Theme Spotted: None today, straight trivia and wordplay.
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Old-fashioned business?
Hint: 1A: Read “Old-fashioned” as a cocktail, then think about where you would order it. Three letters, starts with B.
4A. Start of a tennis point
Hint: 4A: Think of the opening stroke that puts the tennis ball into play. Five letters, starts with S.
6A. Basic bagel variety
Hint: 6A: Skip the seeds, seasoning, and other extras. Five letters, starts with P.
7A. Like the most famous Hollywood celebrities
Hint: 7A: Think of the phrase for Hollywood's top tier of stars. Five letters, starts with A.
8A. "Hoo-boy!"
Hint: 8A: Look for a conversational exclamation of surprise or exasperation. Three letters, starts with M.
Down Hints
1D. It's in your head
Hint: 1D: Take the clue literally and think of the organ inside your skull. Five letters, starts with B.
2D. Car rental option
Hint: 2D: The target is a company offering temporary use of a car. Four letters, starts with A.
3D. Monthly expense
Hint: 3D: Think of the recurring payment a tenant owes a landlord. Four letters, starts with R.
4D. Many a call from an unknown number
Hint: 4D: Think of the unwanted calls your phone tries to filter out. Four letters, starts with S.
5D. ___ Langley, singer with the 2026 #1 hit "Choosin' Texas"
Hint: 5D: Recall the artist credited as ___ Langley on “Choosin' Texas.” Four letters, starts with E.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Old-fashioned business?
Answer: BAR
4A. Start of a tennis point
Answer: SERVE
6A. Basic bagel variety
Answer: PLAIN
7A. Like the most famous Hollywood celebrities
Answer: ALIST
8A. "Hoo-boy!"
Answer: MAN
Down Answers
1D. It's in your head
Answer: BRAIN
2D. Car rental option
Answer: AVIS
3D. Monthly expense
Answer: RENT
4D. Many a call from an unknown number
Answer: SPAM
5D. ___ Langley, singer with the 2026 #1 hit "Choosin' Texas"
Answer: ELLA
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: 1A, “Old-fashioned business?”, resolves to BAR. It defines the grid's playful side by turning an apparent description of an outdated business into a place that sells the cocktail.
Wordplay Winner: BAR wins the wordplay prize because “Old-fashioned” changes from an adjective into a drink order. The question mark gives you fair warning to reinterpret it.
Quick Fill: 4A, SERVE, is a confident early fill because the tennis clue names a precise action. It crosses every Down entry, SPAM, ELLA, BRAIN, AVIS, and RENT, giving you a foothold throughout the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Fill direct definitions such as SERVE and PLAIN before tackling the ambiguous exclamation at 8A. Use the crossing letters to narrow the wording instead of cycling through synonyms for “Hoo-boy!”
When a clue ends in a question mark, test another meaning of its key phrase. BAR shows how recognizing a cocktail name can unlock a clue that initially sounds like a description of a business.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The direct clues give this grid a welcoming base, while BAR supplies the satisfying twist. A small shift in how you read a familiar phrase makes the finish feel earned.
See you at the next grid.
