93-year-old veteran opens boozy bakery in Voorhees

VOORHEES, N.J. (WPVI) -- At any given time, it sounds like 93-year-old Ray Boutwell is describing different cocktails, but he's rattling off the flavors customers can choose from in his new cupcake shop.

The World War II veteran recently opened his newest business venture in Voorhees, New Jersey.

"I started this when I was 92," he said. "My daughter was quite upset and I can understand, doing something like this at my age, because I cashed in all my funds and mortgaged my house."

Lucky for him, it seems Ray's Boozy Cupcakes is already gaining steam.

"You enamored me that you can be 93 and still kicking it," said one customer.

Boutwell said he used to own a bakery in the 1970s and 1980s, but this one is much different. He decided to infuse the cupcakes with alcohol, an idea that took a lot of research.

"I bought a book, 'Bartending for Dummies,' and studied that quite a bit," he said.

That mix of baking and alcohol is especially unlikely for Boutwell, considering he's never enjoyed drinking.

"I was in the Navy and used to drink soda. Finally, one sailor found out I was drinking soda, so he says, what the hell kind of a sailor are you, you don't drink!" he said.

Now, he's convinced he's developed a recipe unlike anything else in the world.

"Our cupcakes are not intoxicating, but you can taste the alcohol in them," he said.

As to how he accomplishes that, he says he can't give up his secret.