This article provides solutions and hints for the New York Times Connections puzzle #579, released on January 10, 2025. The puzzle features the words: Sugar, Goat, Relax, Orange, Host, Rest, Door, Hinge, Easy, Rye, Depend, Car, Rely, Chill, Enough, and Bitters.

Word List: Sugar, Goat, Relax, Orange, Host, Rest, Door, Hinge, Easy, Rye, Depend, Car, Rely, Chill, Enough, Bitters

Definitions and Hints:

A definition for "Bitters" is provided: A non-alcoholic liquid or syrup with a bitter or bittersweet flavor, added to mixed drinks.

The article offers hints categorized by color, corresponding to the difficulty level within the game:

• Yellow (Easy): The category relates to dependence or contingency. Hint: "Conditional on something else." Answer: Be Contingent On. Words: Depend, Hinge, Rely, Rest.

• Green (Medium): The category suggests relaxation or calming down. Hint: "Loosen up, man. Mellow out." Answer: Calm Down!. Words: Chill, Easy, Enough, Relax.

• Blue (Hard): The category relates to ingredients in a specific cocktail. Hint: "Bartender, what is in this delicious drink?" Answer: Ingredients in an Old Fashioned. Words: Bitters, Orange, Rye, Sugar.

• Purple (Tricky): The category references a probability puzzle. Hint: "Should you switch your door, or should you keep it? Will you get a goat?" Answer: Featured in the Monty Hall Problem. Words: Car, Door, Goat, Host.

Complete Solution:

• Yellow - Be Contingent On: Depend, Hinge, Rely, Rest
• Green - "Calm Down!": Chill, Easy, Enough, Relax
• Blue - Ingredients in an Old Fashioned: Bitters, Orange, Rye, Sugar
• Purple - Featured in the Monty Hall Problem: Car, Door, Goat, Host

The article concludes by encouraging readers to play the game on the New York Times Games website.