Discover the Sweet Magic of Rae’s Bourbon Bakery

Heather Burkett-Ocasio
May 17
3 min read

Updated: Jun 12

Meet Rae Hinkley: A Sweet Treat Entrepreneur

When I first met Rae Hinkley online, her warmth was unmistakable. She was friendly and outgoing, making our conversation effortless. As we connected more profoundly, I uncovered another layer to her personality—a quieter, introspective side that adds to her relatability.

“Personally, I’m finding I prefer quiet over chaos,” she confided. She was reflecting on her transition from the whirlwind of raising three boys to savoring life as a new empty-nester. “I do miss the boys running around and being here,” she quickly added. “But it’s nice being a little quieter—I’ve always kind of favored that.”

Rae Hinkley; owner of Rae's Bourbon Bakery — Meet Rae Hinkley, the Heart Behind Rae's Bourbon Bakery.

This introverted nature hasn’t deterred Rae from launching her bold and memorable business: Rae’s Bourbon Bakery. When I inquired about how this unique idea blossomed, she pointed to an unexpected source—an evening of daydreaming, her supportive husband, and a touch of sleep medication.

As Rae shared, she lay in bed chatting about her dream of owning a tiki bar in a place that’s "75 and sunny all the time."

Rae, owner of Rae's Bourbon Bakery, with husband Roy. — Rae with her greatest supporter, her husband, Roy.

Just as the medication began to kick in, an unusual craving for a cupcake struck her. “I don’t eat sweets a lot, so for me to say something like that... I’m really craving it,” she mused.

“The Sudafed spoke to me!” I joked, and she chuckled in agreement. “Exactly!”

In that lighthearted moment, Rae’s Bourbon Bakery was born. The official launch took place in 2022 while she was still residing in Virginia Beach. Initially, she began with simple boxed cake mix, but oh, how things evolved. Before relocating to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2023, Rae expanded her business tremendously by refining her recipes and focusing on what sets her apart: alcohol-infused gourmet desserts that are anything but ordinary.

Standing Out in the Bakery World

Rae’s unique approach didn’t stop at just using bourbon in her creations. She prides herself on producing made-to-order treats. Transparently, she has no intention of opening a storefront anytime soon. This decision stems from her desire to create a hands-on, personalized experience where she can connect directly with her customers.

Rae Hinkley - owner of Rae's Bourbon Bakery - at a local community market. — Rae is currently working community markets to meet clients one-on-one.

Just don’t ask her to omit the alcohol from her recipes.

“I feel like you can get that anywhere,” she remarked.

Instead, Rae embraces her niche of providing sophisticated sweets designed for adult palates. Her boozy cupcakes, cookies, and edible doughs are crafted to be flavorful and moist—never overly sweet or inundated with icing. Each bite is intentional, balanced, and bold—just like Rae herself.

Exciting Upcoming Events

With her business flourishing, Rae is now focusing on vendor markets and bringing local events to life. One of her exciting new ventures is Rae’s Sampl-Booza.

This ladies-only dessert experience will take place on June 28th and will showcase:

Two varieties of boozy cupcakes
Two irresistible cookie flavors
Two kinds of edible boozy cookie dough
Bourbon-laced chocolate-covered strawberries

The menu line-up for Rae's Bourbon Bakery's upcoming Sampl-Booza — The lucky ladies in attendance at Sampl-Booza will get to try these amazing flavors!

Early bird tickets are priced at just $20 until May 24th. After that, ticket prices will double. Remaining tickets will be available at the door for $50—if there are any left!

This event is the ultimate treat-yourself experience for dessert lovers, ladies' night groups, and anyone seeking a unique flavor adventure.

At Events With A Twist, we hold unforgettable experiences as a core value, and Rae’s story perfectly aligns with that vision. We are thrilled to partner with Rae to offer her boozy baked goods as an exciting upgrade to our event packages! Whether you’re hosting a bachelorette party, a 21+ birthday bash, a girls' night out, or a corporate celebration, a batch of Rae’s signature treats can add a buzz-worthy twist.