Across answers

1A, Nov. 12 -- The NYT Mini Crossword answers today, November 12, 2026, are BLUE, BRONX, AIOLI, UNFIT and MEAT Across, with BRINE, LOOFA, UNLIT, EXIT and BAUM Down. The complete clue-by-clue solutions follow, including the five-letter spelling of the shower scrubber.

BLUE 5A: BRONX 6A: AIOLI 7A: UNFIT 8A: MEAT

Down answers 1D: BRINE 2D: LOOFA 3D: UNLIT 4D: EXIT 5D: BAUM

Hints for today's Mini

The zoo clue asks for a New York City borough, not the zoo's name.

The condiment answer has five letters and begins with A.

The shower scrubber ends in A, not H.

The author clue needs the surname associated with Dorothy and Oz.

Across clues and solutions

1A. Eye color of white tigers: BLUE. 5A. Home to the largest urban zoo i...