Irish Moss Drink

250g fresh Irish moss or 50g dried Irish moss

2.5 litres water

1 tablespoon rum

250 ml milk

1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

1 tbs strawberry syrup - (for colour)

Sugar to taste

1. If dried Irish moss is to be used, soak it for a few hours in water.   Otherwise, clean the fresh moss of all other bits of seaweed, and wash thoroughly to remove sand and grit.
2. Simmer the moss in the water until tender.   Then top up the water to the original level and bring to boil.
3. Strain the liquid through a muslin cloth or fine sieve.
4. Add sugar to taste, then the rum, milk, nutmeg.
5. Add enough strawberry syrup to make it slightly pink in colour.
6. Transfer the liquid to a glass bowl and refrigerate until it has set.