Quick Answer
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Crossword clue: “Tequila cocktail that often comes in a salt-rimmed glass, casually”
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Answer: MARG – 4 letters
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Clue number and direction: 1 Across
The New York Times crossword clue “Tequila cocktail that often comes in a salt-rimmed glass, casually” is answered with MARG in 4 letters. In the grid, it appears simply as MARG across.
Why MARG Is the Right NYT Answer
The clue clearly points to a margarita, the classic tequila cocktail that is typically served in a salt-rimmed glass. The word “casually” signals that the entry should be an informal shortening, and “marg” is a common bar and conversational shorthand for “margarita.”
In the February 12, 2026 NYT Mini, 1-Across is confirmed as MARG in multiple answer sources for this exact clue. The four-letter length matches the slot, and the crossings from Downs (MIMED, AGAVE, RAZES, DESK, ICON) support each letter of M‑A‑R‑G with no conflicts.
What MARG Means
In plain English, marg is just a clipped, casual way of saying “margarita,” a cocktail typically made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, often served with a salted rim. You’ll see “marg” used in menus, bar slang, and conversational contexts like “Let’s grab some margs after work.”
The clue’s reference to a “salt-rimmed glass” reinforces that we’re talking about the standard presentation of a margarita, not some other tequila drink, which is why MARG is the perfect fit.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
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Spot the casual signal: Words like “casually,” “informally,” or “slangily” usually mean you’re looking for a shortened form (MARG for margarita, APP for application, PREZ for president).
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Check the drink details: Tequila plus “salt-rimmed glass” is a strong indicator of a margarita, so if the slot is four letters, think MARG.
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Use crossings: Even if you’re unsure, letters from Downs will quickly shape patterns like M_RG or _ARG, which strongly point to MARG in a cocktail context.
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Remember common bar entries: MARG, GIN, RUM, RYE, NEGRONI, and RITA appear often in crosswords, especially as Minis lean on recognizable, fun vocabulary.
How MARG Fits the Grid
For 1-Across on February 12, 2026, the Mini provides a four-square horizontal slot, which matches MARG exactly. Represented as a pattern, it looks like:
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Pattern in grid:
MARG(M‑A‑R‑G)
Each letter is confirmed by intersecting Downs:
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M intersects MIMED.
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A intersects AGAVE.
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R intersects RAZES.
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G intersects GREEK or ICON, depending on layout; sources agree on a consistent cross-letter G.
Because all crossings produce valid words, MARG is locked in as the only viable answer.
Other Ways MARG Might Be Clued
MARG shows up in other puzzles with similar clue styles, for example:
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“Tequila drink, casually”
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“Salt-rimmed tequila cocktail, informally”
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“Margarita, briefly”
All of these rely on the same casual shortening of “margarita” that solvers now expect to see as MARG in NYT-style grids.
Complete February 12, 2026 NYT Mini Answers Today (Across & Down clues and answers)
Here are the key answers from the February 12, 2026 NYT Mini to help you complete the full grid.
Across
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Tequila cocktail that often comes in a salt-rimmed glass, casually | MARG | 4 |
| Signature export of Cuba | CIGAR | 5 |
| Bowl over | AMAZE | 5 |
| Flood regulator | LEVEE | 5 |
| Classroom station | DESK | 4 |
Down
| Clue | Answer | Letters |
|---|---|---|
| Acted without saying anything | MIMED | 5 |
| Desert plant used in tequila production | AGAVE | 5 |
| Demolishes | RAZES | 5 |
| Language from which we get “cosmos” and “democracy” | GREEK | 5 |
| Berkeley campus, for short | CAL | 3 |
