Last month we launched Clued In and you showed up. Like, really showed up. People were screenshotting their completed grids, arguing about clues in the comments, and DMing us about how long 5 Down took them. We loved every second of it.
So we’re back. And this time, we’re pouring one out for the drinks that made sobriety taste good.
This Month’s Theme: Happy Every Hour
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and we’re celebrating it the only way we know how: by nerding out on everything NA. This month’s crossword is 13 clues dedicated entirely to NA beverages, zero-proof spirits, craft brewing, and the terms every sober mixologist should have in their vocabulary.
You’ll find the brands that built the category, the botanicals that make them taste incredible, and a few clues that will make you think twice about what you know about drinks without the buzz.
If you can name the two-word category that changed the entire beverage industry from just a crossword clue, you’re doing better than most.
Play It
Online: Play this month’s Clued In right here → Click a square, type a letter, chase the blue. Same interactive experience as last month, same celebration animation when you nail every square.
Prefer Pen and Paper? We love analog living too!
Download the printable PDF, grab a pencil, and go analog. The grid prints clean on any standard printer.
Where’s the Answer Key?
Starting this month, the answer key for Clued In will live exclusively in BACKSTAGE, our private cultural membership. March was on the house. April is behind the curtain.
BACKSTAGE members get instant access to answer keys for both Clued In and Sober Search, our new monthly word search that also dropped this month with the same Happy Every Hour theme.
Not ready to join? Use the CHECK button in the interactive version. It’ll tell you which letters you got right without giving away the full solution.
Double Down: The Puzzle Pack
This month is the first official Puzzle Pack drop. Two puzzles. One theme. Both free to play.
If you haven’t tried Sober Search yet, it’s our brand-new monthly word search with 19 hidden words about NA beverages. Different puzzle, different words, same zero-proof energy.
PLAY THIS MONTH’S SOBER SEARCH →
Between the crossword and the word search, that’s 32 sober culture terms hiding in two grids. Your brain called. It said thank you.
A new Clued In drops the first of every month. Subscribe to The Sober Sip so you never miss one.
Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
SOBER SEARCH: The Sober Curator’s New Monthly Word Search | Issue No. 1: Happy Every Hour
Welcome to HAPPY EVERY HOUR, your go-to hub for all things NA (non-alcoholic). We review alcohol-free beers, ciders, wines, spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink), and share NA cocktail recipes that taste just as good—if not better—than the boozy originals. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just taking a break, this is where great taste meets zero proof.
TRIGGER WARNING: People in early sobriety may want to proceed with caution. Always read labels. Please hydrate responsibly … #becausedrunkneverlooksgood.
🛍️ Submit a Product for Review NA beverages, sober-friendly tools, alcohol-free brands, and products built for the way our audience actually lives. Submit your product →
SOBER EVENTS at The Sober Curator keeps you in the loop on alcohol-free gatherings happening nationwide. From sober comedy shows and non-alcoholic tastings to festivals, retreats, and sporting events, we highlight vibrant, community-driven experiences from coast to coast. Our goal? To keep you entertained, inspired, and connected—no matter where you live. Need more sober time than one event? We’ve got your back with our Sober Retreat Calendar.
📅 Submit a Sober Event: NA tastings, sober socials, recovery conferences, fitness meetups, alcohol-free festivals, virtual gatherings, and events of all kinds. Anything that gives our readers something worth showing up for. Submit your event →
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
Follow The Sober Curator on Instagram
What is Clued In?
Clued In is The Sober Curator’s monthly crossword puzzle. Every month we build a brand-new puzzle around a different theme in sober culture with clues written in full TSC voice. It’s part of The Sober Curator Puzzle Pack alongside Sober Search, our monthly word search.
How often does a new puzzle come out?
First of every month. Every issue has a different theme tied to our content pillars and cultural moments. April is Happy Every Hour (NA beverages). Subscribe to The Sober Sip so you never miss a drop.
How do I play online?
Click on any white square to start typing. Here’s your cheat sheet:
- Click a cell to select it and start typing
- Click the same cell again to toggle between Across and Down
- Click any clue in the sidebar to jump to that word
- Arrow keys move you around the grid
- Tab jumps to the next clue
- Backspace deletes and moves back one square
- CHECK highlights correct letters in green
- REVEAL fills in all answers (zero judgment)
- RESET clears the whole grid
Can I print it?
Yes. Every issue has a free downloadable PDF designed for printing. White background, clean grid, clues included. Click the download button on the puzzle page.
Where is the answer key?
Starting with Issue 2 (April 2026), the answer key is available exclusively inside BACKSTAGE, The Sober Curator’s private cultural membership. Issue 1 (March) had the answer key published for free as a launch special.
BACKSTAGE members get answer keys for both Clued In and Sober Search. [Join BACKSTAGE →]
Pro tip: If you’re not a BACKSTAGE member, use the CHECK button in the interactive version. It marks your correct letters green without revealing the full solution.
Is Clued In free?
The puzzle is always free. Play online, download the PDF, share it with friends. The only thing behind BACKSTAGE is the answer key. We want everyone to play.
What is the Puzzle Pack?
The Sober Curator Puzzle Pack is our growing collection of monthly interactive puzzles. Right now it includes Clued In (crossword) and Sober Search (word search). Both share the same monthly theme but use different words and formats. More formats are coming later in 2026.
Why is the grid 13×13?
Because there are 12 steps and we always go one extra. (The real answer: 13×13 gives us enough room to fit longer words like DRYJANUARY and ZEROPROOF while keeping clean intersections. But the 12 steps thing sounds better.)
I’m stuck. Any hints?
A few things that might help:
- Start with the clues you’re most confident about and let the intersecting letters guide you.
- Pay attention to the clue voice. If it mentions a specific brand, category, or TSC column, the answer is probably exactly what you think it is.
- Use CHECK to confirm letters you’ve placed. Green means you’re right.
- The interactive version lets you toggle between Across and Down by clicking the same cell twice. This helps when you’re stuck on one direction but might know the crossing word.
- If all else fails, REVEAL exists. No one’s keeping score. Yet.
Can I share Clued In?
Please. Screenshot your completed grid, share your solve time, tag us @thesobercurator on any platform. If you finish both the crossword and the word search in the same month, that’s a flex worth posting.
Can I use Clued In at a sober event or meeting?
Absolutely. Download the printable PDF and bring copies. Crosswords are a perfect low-pressure activity for sober events, retreats, recovery meetings, or any gathering. If you want a custom puzzle for your event, email thesobercurator@gmail.com.
I have an idea for a clue or theme.
We want to hear it. Email thesobercurator@gmail.com with “CLUED IN” in the subject line. Tell us the word, the clue, and why it belongs. If we use it, you get a shoutout.
Where can I find past issues?
We’re building an archive as the series grows. For now, past issues are linked from the /clued-in page. Eventually every puzzle will be playable from a dedicated archive.
Something isn’t working.
Email thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM @thesobercurator on Instagram. We want this to work on every device and browser.
