Chinese sweet soy sauce

Ingredients
  1.5 cups sugar
  3/4 cup water
  1 (500ml) soy sauce
  1 tablespoon vinegar
  1 piece star anise
  1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  4 slices crushed or chopped ginger root
  Half a stick of cinnamon
  Water upto one full cup
  Optional: About 4-5 curry leaves

Method
1. In a large empty (preferably non-stick) pan, caramelize the sugar with exactly a quarter cup of water. 
2. Take it off the stove once the sugar has turned to a dark bright amber. Be careful not to burn it.
3. Add half a cup water to this and whisk it all lightly to combine the two liquids together.
4. Put in all of soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon, ginger garlic, vinegar, few curry leaves and give it all a nice stir.
5. Bring the sauce to a quick boil for a few seconds. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
6. Once done, strain the ingredients out. Let cool and store in (a preferably air tight) jar in the fridge for future use.