Abstract: Apparatus for preparing carbonated beverages has a main body providing a receptacle for a CO.sub.2 cylinder and a hingedly mounted aerating head carrying a tube connected with the cylinder through a manually operated valve and a cylindrical shield coaxial with the tube for receiving a bottle containing the liquid to be carbonated. The shield is accessible for insertion or removal of a bottle only when swung away from the main body. In the operative position of the aerating head, a platform on the main body can be raised by a lever-operated cam to press the neck of the received bottle against a resilient nozzle on the aerating head. A safety valve linked with the cam releases excess pressure in the charged bottle when the platform is lowered.