Connections archive · Puzzle #1124

NYT Connections Hints & Answers — July 9, 2026 (#1124)

Group hints and answers for the NYT Connections puzzle on . Get a spoiler-free nudge for each group, or reveal the full solution — your call.

Difficulty: Medium

Spoiler control

Choose how much to reveal

Reveal one step at a time — nudges first, full answers only if you ask.

1. Group nudges spoiler-free
  • Yellow: Menu shorthand for mocktails and sober pours — abbreviations and phrases that promise zero spirits.
  • Green: Where critics review albums and charts get ranked — iconic magazines covering bands, tours, and new releases.
  • Blue: Floor coverings with different textures and purposes — from ornate hand-woven classics to small accent mats.
  • Purple: Nameplates from a discontinued GM brand — muscle-car icons and sedans that shared a showroom decades ago.
2. One word from each group a foothold
  • Yellow: NA
  • Green: BILLBOARD
  • Blue: PERSIAN
  • Purple: FIREBIRD
3. The four category names no words yet
  • Yellow: NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS
  • Green: MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
  • Blue: KINDS OF RUGS
  • Purple: PONTIAC MODELS
4. Reveal groups one by one
Yellow group

NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS

  • NA
  • SPIRIT-FREE
  • VIRGIN
  • ZERO-PROOF
Green group

MUSIC PUBLICATIONS

  • BILLBOARD
  • PITCHFORK
  • ROLLING STONE
  • SPIN
Blue group

KINDS OF RUGS

  • PERSIAN
  • PRAYER
  • SHAG
  • THROW
Purple group

PONTIAC MODELS

  • FIREBIRD
  • G6
  • GRAND PRIX
  • TRANS AM
5. Reveal everything full spoilers

Yellow — NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS

  • NA
  • SPIRIT-FREE
  • VIRGIN
  • ZERO-PROOF

Green — MUSIC PUBLICATIONS

  • BILLBOARD
  • PITCHFORK
  • ROLLING STONE
  • SPIN

Blue — KINDS OF RUGS

  • PERSIAN
  • PRAYER
  • SHAG
  • THROW

Purple — PONTIAC MODELS

  • FIREBIRD
  • G6
  • GRAND PRIX
  • TRANS AM

Today's puzzle, in a nutshell

Yellow virgin and green spin land quickly, but purple Firebird punishes anyone who pairs GRAND PRIX with a racing category instead of a defunct Detroit badge.

NYT Connections #1124 — quick answers

What are today's Connections categories?

NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS; MUSIC PUBLICATIONS; KINDS OF RUGS; PONTIAC MODELS.

What are all the answers?
  • NON-ALCOHOLIC DESIGNATORS: NA, SPIRIT-FREE, VIRGIN, ZERO-PROOF
  • MUSIC PUBLICATIONS: BILLBOARD, PITCHFORK, ROLLING STONE, SPIN
  • KINDS OF RUGS: PERSIAN, PRAYER, SHAG, THROW
  • PONTIAC MODELS: FIREBIRD, G6, GRAND PRIX, TRANS AM

Also for: Connections hints 7/9/26, 7-9-26, 7 9 26, 7/9/2026, and puzzle #1124.

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