A long-forgotten American elixir, marketed as a "cure-all" in the early 20th century, has been revived by two spirits industry veterans. The drink, known as Munyon's Paw-Paw, was first introduced in 1903 by Dr. James Munyon, a businessman who made a fortune selling homeopathic remedies. According to the founders, Joe Colucci and Paul Massey, they stumbled upon the unusual history of the drink during a family outing to the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Colucci, a resident of Jupiter, Florida, spotted an antique bottle from 1903 in a display about Dr. Munyon, which sparked their interest in the forgotten drink. The pair began digging into the past of Munyon's Paw-Paw and discovered that it contained a surprising ingredient: THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. The original concoction also included fermented papaya and alcohol.
The entrepreneurs traveled to Pennsylvania to meet with a historian researching Dr. Munyon's life and eventually obtained an original bottle containing some of the century-old liquid. They even sampled it, but found it to be "not exactly still fresh." Determined to revive the historic brand, they worked with a Miami craft distiller to develop a modern version inspired by the original, minus the THC.
The modern Munyon's Paw-Paw is a 20% alcohol-by-volume apéritif featuring 14 natural ingredients, including papaya, orange, grapefruit, and hibiscus. The bottle is a replica of the original, and the founders say it pays tribute to the past. They launched the drink in 2023 and are marketing it as a piece of American history.
According to the founders, resurrecting Munyon's Paw-Paw is about more than bringing another alcoholic beverage to market. It's about preserving a forgotten piece of American ingenuity at a time when nostalgia and old-fashioned brands continue to capture consumers' attention. They suggest enjoying the drink in a Palm Beach Spritz, made with equal parts Munyon's Paw-Paw, prosecco, and grapefruit soda.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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