Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons of loose-leaf black tea (we use Assam)
- 4 cups hot water
- 3/4 cup quick-cooking tapioca pearls
- whole milk to serve, or your choice of milk
- for simple syrup: 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar
Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water. Heat until the sugar fully dissolves, then let the syrup cool.
Prepare the tea: Steep 4 teaspoons of black tea in 4 cups of freshly boiled water for about 5 minutes. Strain and allow the tea to cool completely.
Cook the tapioca pearls: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add the pearls. Stir gently. When they float, cook for about 5 more minutes until soft and chewy. Drain, rinse quickly, and mix with a few spoonfuls of simple syrup.
Assemble the drink: Divide the pearls into glasses, add ice, pour in the cooled tea, then stir in about 1½ tbsp milk and 1½ tbsp simple syrup per glass. Adjust to taste.