Forgotten 'Cure-All' Elixir From 1903 Gets New Life as Modern Aperitif
Munyon's Paw-Paw, originally marketed over a century ago, has been revived by spirits industry veterans who discovered its history in Florida.
A homeopathic elixir once promoted as an American "cure-all" has been reborn as a modern aperitif, thanks to a chance discovery in Florida. Munyon's Paw-Paw, an alcoholic beverage dating to the early 1900s, has been resurrected by two spirits industry veterans who stumbled upon its history during a visit to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.
Joe Colucci, a Jupiter, Florida resident, discovered an antique bottle from 1903 in a display about Dr. James Munyon, a businessman who once owned a nearby island. Intrigued, Colucci contacted his colleague, Paul Massey, and the two began researching the forgotten drink.
Dr. Munyon, an entrepreneur who amassed a fortune selling homeopathic remedies around the turn of the 20th century, marketed his Paw-Paw elixir as a cure-all. The original concoction contained fermented papaya and alcohol, along with a surprising ingredient: THC. Massey confirmed that THC was present in the original formulation.
After consulting with a historian and obtaining an original bottle of the century-old liquid, Colucci and Massey decided to revive the historic brand. They collaborated with a Miami craft distiller to create a modern version, omitting the THC while retaining the spirit of the original.
Launched in 2023, the contemporary Munyon's Paw-Paw is a 20% alcohol-by-volume aperitif. It features 14 natural ingredients, including papaya, orange, grapefruit, and hibiscus—botanicals the founders say were once cultivated on Munyon's island. The packaging of the new product is a replica of the original bottle, a design choice meant to evoke its historical roots.
For Colucci and Massey, reviving Munyon's Paw-Paw is about more than introducing a new beverage; it's about preserving a piece of American history. They noted that the modern version, unlike its predecessor, is intended for recreational enjoyment.
The founders suggest serving the aperitif in a "Palm Beach Spritz," a cocktail made with equal parts Munyon's Paw-Paw, prosecco, and grapefruit soda. The revival taps into a growing consumer interest in nostalgia and heritage brands.