The forgotten American "cure-all" from 1903 returns with one key ingredient missing.

After a chance discovery in a state park, a papaya-based empiric was resurrected from a forgotten homeopathic remedy. Its founders tell Arjan Digital Ambassador how this drink got a new life.

Florida spirit makers discovered an unexpected ingredient in the original formula of the island's elixir

Munyon's Paw-Paw founders Joe Colucci and Paul Massey share how a visit to a South Florida state park sparked their mission to revive a forgotten alcoholic beverage with a wonder ingredient from the early 1900s.

A forgotten American elixir marketed more than a century ago as a "cure-all" has been given a second life thanks to a chance discovery in Florida.

Munyon's Paw-Paw, an alcoholic drink that dates back to the early 1900s, was revived by two veterans of the spirits industry who stumbled upon its unusual history during a family outing.

Joe Colucci, a resident of Jupiter, Florida, visiting John D. Beach State Park. MacArthur was in Palm Beach County when he saw an antique bottle from 1903 at an exhibit about Dr. James Munion, a businessman who once owned a nearby island.

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Intrigued, Colucci contacted his old colleague, Paul Massey, and the two began digging into the forgotten drink's past.

What they discovered was a colorful chapter in American history.

Joe Colucci first learned about Munyon's original Paw-Paw, a treat developed by Dr. James Munyon, during a visit to the state park. (Palm Beach Historical Society)

Monyon, an entrepreneur who made a fortune selling homeopathic remedies in the late 20th century, marketed his Paw-Paw Elixir as a medicinal treatment.

According to the founders, the original concoction contained fermented papaya and alcohol—along with a wonder ingredient.

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The couple traveled to Pennsylvania to meet with a historian researching Munion's life and ended up with an original bottle containing some of the century-old liquid.

Munyon was a doctor who created his own elixir to help heal the inhabitants of the region. (Palm Beach Historical Society)

"At least, it wasn't fresh yet," Colucci recalls.

Determined to revive the historic brand, the entrepreneurs worked with a Miami craft distiller to develop a modern version inspired by the original, minus the THC.

Even the bottle pays homage to the past.

"When we saw the original bottle, we thought, 'Man, we can just run with that,'" Colucci said. Therefore, our package is a copy.

For the founders, the revival of 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 brands continue to capture consumers' attention.

Munion's homeopathic remedies were a precursor to today's Munion's Claw. (Palm Beach Historical Society)

"Americans just want to hear a great piece of US history, and we're bringing that back with our product," Massey said.

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Although the original version was sold as medicine, the modern version definitely has a more recreational purpose.

The founders suggest enjoying it in the Palm Beach Spritz, made with equal parts Paw-Paw Munyon, prosecco and grapefruit soda.

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