Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for carbonating a liquid at ambient temperature. The system may include a liquid source; a carbon dioxide source; and a contactor for carbonating the liquid. The contactor may include channels and a sparge for carbonating liquid flowing through the channels. The system may produce a liquid having high levels of carbonation at ambient temperature. The sparge may generate microbubbles or nanobubbles to allow for cost-effective carbonation at ambient temperatures. The bubbles may have an average diameter of 100 ?m or less. The system may carbonate liquid at a rate of 1 gram to 10 grams carbon dioxide per liter.