Coffee Sauce

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups strong black coffee
2 tablespoons coffee liqueur (optional)

Dissolve sugar in 2 tablespoons water in a heavy-based saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil until the mixture becomes light golden brown. Stir in the coffee to dissolve the caramel and simmer for a few minutes until it becomes slightly syrupy. Remove from heat and stir in the liqueur, if desired.