Add the water to a medium pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the boba pearls and let boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After 10 minutes, add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved and boiling. Allow to boil for another 5 minutes.
Divide the pearls and brown sugar syrup evenly between 4 glasses. Tilt the glasses on their side, and without letting any of the pearls fall out, slowly roll the glasses to coat the inside of the glass with the brown sugar syrup. Add your milk of choice, along with optional ice and black tea.