‘Apple product’ NYT Mini Crossword clue answers and hints

I’m all for challenging clues in the NYT crossword puzzle, but solving them becomes a lot more complicated when you have two clues that are exactly the same, like the clues “Apple product” in today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle.

“Apple product” is the clue for both six across and one down in the NYT Mini Crossword’s Aug. 22 puzzle. If you’re just as confused as I was, don’t worry—I’ve got the hints to help and the answer to both if you’re truly stuck.

‘Apple product’ NYT Mini Crossword clue hints and answers

• Hint 1: Six across’ apple product is a drink made from fermented apples.
• Hint 2: Six across’ apple product starts with a “C.”
• Hint 3: One down’s apple product is a piece of technology.
• Hint 4: One down’s apple product starts with an “M.”

The answer to the six across “Apple product” clue is “CIDER,” as in the alcoholic drink made from fermented apples. And the answer to the one-down “Apple product” clue is “MAC,” one of the products the brand Apple sells.

All clues and answers to the Aug. 22 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle

Across

• 1A Post made about “pommel horse guy” or “brat summer,” say — MEME
• 5A Late game show host Trebek — ALEX
• 6A Apple product — CIDER
• 8A Food filled with carnitas or carne asada — TACO
• 9A “Anybody___?” — ELSE

Down

• 1D Apple product — MAC
• 2D Best of the best — ELITE
• 3D Olympic prize — MEDAL
• 4D C-suite figures — EXECS
• 7D Caviar, e.g. — ROE

‘Apple products?’ crossword clue difficulty

It might have been easy to solve if this were a standalone clue. But because two clues asked for apple products, it was a bit of a challenge as you had to figure out if they were asking for products with apples, like pie and crumble, or iPhones and iPods.

When I first noticed two clues that were the same, I honestly thought it was an error until I finished the entire crossword and realized the answers. As the answers could have been endless, I’d give this clue a difficulty rating of four out of five.

NYT Mini Crossword puzzle and word game alternatives

Are you looking for more mini-games to play? If so, try the mini crosswords from the LA Times and the Washington Post—they’re short and are released daily. Or try these word search and spelling bee style games: Strands or Spelling Bee.