Parisian Essence is a food colouring with no taste used in gravy.
1 cup sugar
1 cup hot water

Melt 1 cup of sugar in a medium heavy saucepan, over a low heat.
Stir constantly until sugar is burnt black and smokey.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool a little.
Add 1 cup of hot water a drop at a time.
Be sure to add the hot water very slowly, to prevent spurting.
Continue adding the water until the syrup is smooth.
After all the water is added, stir again over low heat until the burnt sugar becomes a thin dark liquid.
When cool, pour into a jar.
A few drops will go a long way