The NYT Mini for February 12, 2026, delivered a balanced mix of easy and tricky clues across drinks, language, and daily life themes.
Short and simple clues like MARG, LEVEE, and GREEK made the puzzle quick yet mentally engaging.
The Mini remains a daily brain boost and a perfect start before exploring other NYT Games like Wordle and Strands.
The NYT Mini brings a new puzzle every single day. Each morning feels like a fresh start with a small grid full of smart clues. The Mini may look tiny, but it carries big fun. It tests memory, speed, and word skills in just a few minutes. Many players begin the day with this quick challenge before moving to other NYT Games.
Thursday, February 12, 2026, delivered another neat set of clues and answers. Some felt easy at first glance. A few needed extra thought. One tricky clue slowed many players down. That is the charm of the Mini. A simple clue can hide a clever twist.
Today’s Mini continues the tradition of bite-sized challenges from The New York Times. The Mini is a compact and engaging grid that demands both wit and quick thinking. While not as lengthy as the classic NYT Crossword, it still packs clever clues that push reasoning and vocabulary in fun ways. What looks like a simple hint can unlock a satisfying aha moment once the right word falls into place.
Below is the full list of clues and answers from today’s puzzle. Each answer fits cleanly into the grid. Each clue carries a short explanation to make the meaning clear.
1A Clue: Tequila cocktail that often comes in a salt-rimmed glass, casually
Answer: MARG
“Marg” stands as a short and casual name for margarita, the well-known tequila drink served with salt on the rim.
5A Clue: Signature export of Cuba
Answer: CIGAR
Cuba has global fame for its handmade cigars, which makes this answer a strong country link.
6A Clue: Bowl over
Answer: AMAZE
“Amaze” means to surprise someone in a big way or leave them shocked.
7A Clue: Flood regulator
Answer: LEVEE
A levee controls water levels and helps stop flooding near rivers.
8A Clue: Classroom station
Answer: DESK
A desk is the place where students sit, read, and write during class.
1D Clue: Acted without saying anything
Answer: MIMED
“Mimed” describes acting something out using only gestures and no speech.
2D Clue: Desert plant used in tequila production
Answer: AGAVE
Agave is the plant used to make tequila.
3D Clue: Demolishes
Answer: RAZES
“Razes” means to tear something down completely.
4D Clue: Language from which we get “cosmos” and “democracy.”
Answer: GREEK
Greek is the root language of many English words, including cosmos and democracy.
5D Clue: Berkeley campus, for short
Answer: CAL
“Cal” is the short name for the University of California, Berkeley.
Also Read: Today’s NYT Strands Hints and Answers for February 11, 2026
Today’s puzzle mixed drinks, nature, language, and everyday school life. That mix keeps the Mini fresh. Short clues demand sharp thinking. Quick answers reward focus. Even one tough word can slow down a fast run. That small moment of pause makes solving more exciting.
The NYT Mini stands as part of a bigger world of NYT Games. Many players move from the Mini to Wordle, Connections, or Strands. Each game brings a different style of challenge. Some test logic. Others test vocabulary. The Mini keeps things short and sweet.
Today’s NYT Mini answers for Feb 12, 2026, offered a fun and simple challenge. The grid felt balanced with easy and tricky spots. Tomorrow awaits another fresh puzzle and another smart test of words. NYT Games continues to deliver daily brain workouts for puzzle lovers everywhere.
Every day brings a new set of clues and answers. The NYT Mini Crossword continues to serve quick bursts of joy, testing vocabulary and puzzle skill alike. For Feb 12, 2026, this set provided a satisfying mix of clever hints and familiar answers. Solvers can look forward to tomorrow’s grid and the next set of clever clues to crack.
Also Read: Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for February 11, 2026