Abstract: A carbonated beverage dispensing system includes a carbonation bowl 1 having a chamber 2 with a frusto conical upper part 4. Water is admitted to the chamber 2 as a mist through nozzle 7 and CO2 is admitted to the chamber through inlet 8 to provide a carbonated water reservoir. Carbonated water is driven under pressure of CO2 in the headspace of chamber 2 through a metering unit 42 and mixed at 27 with beverage syrup for dispensing through tap 29. When the dispense system is dormant a microprocessor 70 actuates pump 13 to introduce water which raises the level of the reservoir into the frusto conical part 4 so that the surface area of the reservoir exposed to the CO2 is reduced to alleviate excessive absorption of CO2 by the water in the reservoir. The system may be applied for post mix of carbonated water with beverage syrup or to pre-mix of beverage syrup with un-carbonated water and which mixture is subsequently carbonated.