Prepare the strawberry syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and 1 tablespoon of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the strawberries break down into a thick sauce (about 5-7 minutes). Mash lightly with a fork.

Steep the tea: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the Earl Grey tea bags. Steep for 4-5 minutes depending on desired strength. Remove tea bags and allow the tea to cool slightly.

Strain the syrup: Press the cooked strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl to extract a smooth syrup, discarding the solids. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.

Assemble the drink: In two tall glasses, divide the cooled strawberry syrup evenly (about 2 tablespoons per glass). Add a generous amount of ice cubes to each glass.

Combine and serve: Pour the slightly cooled Earl Grey tea over the ice, filling the glass about 3/4 full. Top each serving with half of the whole milk. Stir gently to combine the layers initially, or leave separated for a layered effect.

Garnish with a fresh strawberry slice if desired and serve immediately.