Today's NYT Strands is live for Sunday, February 8, 2026 (Puzzle #707). Stuck on today's Strands? We've got progressive hints, from gentle nudges to full solutions, so you can solve at your own pace.
How Strands Works (New Players Start Here)
Strands hides themed words inside a 6x8 letter grid. Your mission: find every word connected to the day's theme. Letters link in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and words can twist and turn. Every letter gets used exactly once.
The spangram is the key word or phrase that captures the theme and stretches across the entire board, touching opposite edges.
Need a boost? Find any 4+ letter word (even non-theme words) three times, and the game reveals a hint highlighting theme word letters.
Theme Decoder
Today's Theme Prompt: "Make it fancy"
What It Really Means
This theme is about cocktail garnishes, those decorative elements that elevate a drink from ordinary to sophisticated.
Think About...
- Items you'd find perched on the rim of a cocktail glass
- Edible decorations that add flavor and visual appeal
- Small, often colorful additions that complete a mixed drink
Spangram Clues
Orientation: Across to the right then slightly back to the left and all the way down
Letter Count: 14 letters
Starting Zone: Second letter of the first row
Progressive Spangram Hints
Hint 1 (Gentle): Think about what bartenders add to drinks for visual flair and extra flavor.
Hint 2 (Warmer): This two-word phrase describes the decorative elements that complete a cocktail.
Hint 3 (Almost There): First letter is C, last letter is H
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COCKTAILGARNISH
Word-by-Word Hints
Solve as many as you can before peeking. Each word includes escalating clues.
Word 1
Vague: A simple citrus garnish
Closer: Often found in a martini or old fashioned
Letter Clue: Starts with T, 5 letters total
Answer
TWIST
Word 2
Vague: A classic martini companion
Closer: Briny and green, often on a toothpick
Letter Clue: Starts with O, 5 letters total
Answer
OLIVE
Word 3
Vague: A fresh herb garnish
Closer: Often mint or rosemary, adds aroma
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 5 letters total
Answer
SPRIG
Word 4
Vague: A crunchy vegetable garnish
Closer: Often found in a Bloody Mary
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
CELERY
Word 5
Vague: A seafood garnish
Closer: Often served on the rim of a cocktail glass
Letter Clue: Starts with S, 6 letters total
Answer
SHRIMP
Word 6
Vague: A sweet, colorful garnish
Closer: Often maraschino, bright red
Letter Clue: Starts with C, 6 letters total
Answer
CHERRY
Full Answers
Spangram: COCKTAILGARNISH
Theme Words:
- TWIST
- OLIVE
- SPRIG
- CELERY
- SHRIMP
- CHERRY
Puzzle Debrief
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Trickiest Word: SHRIMP (Not everyone associates seafood with cocktail garnishes)
Our Take: A solid theme with clear connections, cocktail garnishes offer a mix of obvious classics (olive, cherry) and less common picks (shrimp, celery). The spangram "COCKTAILGARNISH" neatly captures the category. Good variety in word lengths keeps the puzzle engaging without being frustrating.
