9A clue: "Keep it down!" First published on July 5, 2025 at 7:54 p.m. PT.

So, if you're working on today's Mini on Thursday, July 17, 2025, and need some help (I've been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both "Across" and "Down" words, followed by "Across Answers" and "Down Answers," so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

The beverage in today’s crossword, constructed by Jasin Cekinmez, inspires a similarly binary debate. Normally I’d say that I’m a staunch coffee person, but solving this puzzle softened my attitude. The drink itself isn’t my thing but, as a puzzle theme, is right up my alley.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times' games collection. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page. Let's get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.