Rose Milk Tea

Instructions

1. Brew the tea
   Steep the black tea bags in 2 cups of freshly boiled water for 3-5 minutes until strong. Remove tea bags and allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
2. Prepare the sweetener
   In a small bowl, mix honey or sugar with 2 tablespoons of hot water until completely dissolved. Add the rose syrup and stir well. If using, add the rose water at this point.
3. Combine the milk components
   In a separate container, combine the whole milk and half and half cream (if using). For a dairy-free version, substitute with your preferred milk alternative.
4. Prepare the tapioca pearls
   If using boba, prepare according to package instructions. Once cooked, rinse with cold water and toss with a tablespoon of honey or sugar to prevent sticking.
5. Assemble the drink
   If serving cold, fill two tall glasses with ice. Place cooked tapioca pearls at the bottom (if using). Pour in the cooled tea until glasses are about half full. Add the sweetened rose mixture and stir gently.
6. Add the milk mixture
   Slowly pour the milk mixture into each glass, allowing it to create beautiful swirls in the tea. Adjust the amount of milk according to your preference for a stronger or milder tea flavor.
7. Garnish and serve
   Sprinkle dried rose petals on top of each drink for garnish. For hot rose milk tea, simply skip the ice and serve warm. Provide wide straws if using tapioca pearls.