Munyon’s paw-paw: historic elixir returns without THC
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Joe Colucci and Paul Massey, two spirits industry veterans from Jupiter, Florida, revived Munyon’s Paw-Paw, a beverage first sold in the United States in 1903.
The men discovered the drink’s history during a visit to John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, where they learned about Dr. James Munyon and his once-successful homeopathic remedies. Munyon originally marketed Paw-Paw as a medicinal “cure-all” containing fermented papaya, alcohol, and THC.
Colucci and Massey researched Munyon’s life and secured a bottle of the original elixir, even tasting the century-old liquid. They then partnered with a Miami distiller to create a modern version of Paw-Paw. The new Paw-Paw, launched in 2023, is a 20% alcohol-by-volume apéritif made with 14 natural ingredients including papaya, orange, and hibiscus, botanicals grown on Munyon’s island.
The entrepreneurs designed the modern bottle to resemble the original from 1903, aiming to connect consumers with a piece of American history. They believe there is a current consumer interest in nostalgic brands and are marketing the drink as a way to share a forgotten story. The modern version of Munyon’s Paw-Paw is intended for recreational use and is suggested to be enjoyed in cocktails like the Palm Beach Spritz.
