Combine the water and tea bags in a medium pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat and let the tea cool to room temperature.
Bring a medium pot of water to boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the tapioca pearls and boil until softened, about 20 minutes.
Drain the pearls through a strainer.
Set the strainer with the pearls over a medium bowl. Add the brown sugar to the strainer and pour the hot water over.
Stir to dissolve the brown sugar. Soak the pearls in brown sugar syrup for 30 minutes, then store the bubbles and syrup separately until ready to serve.
Assemble the tea: Put the pearls and ice, then add the brown sugar syrup, tea