Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the tapioca pearls. Cook them according to the instructions on the package until they’re soft and chewy. Drain them, and while they’re still warm, toss them with about ½ cup of brown sugar. Set them aside for later.

In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup of dark brown sugar with ¼ cup of water. Heat gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. Take it off the heat and let it cool a bit.

In another pot, boil 2 cups of water. Add 6 tablespoons of tea leaves and let them steep for 3–5 minutes. Strain the tea leaves out and pour the hot tea into a pitcher. Stir in 2 cups of fresh milk, then let it cool slightly.

In serving glasses, start by placing the brown sugar-coated tapioca pearls at the bottom. Drizzle some of the brown sugar syrup over them. Add ice cubes, then pour in the milk tea. Finish with an extra drizzle of syrup on top for sweetness and a nice visual effect. Serve right away and enjoy!