A carbonated beverage maker 10 comprising a reservoir 18 in fluid contact with a carbonation chamber 80, a pressurised carbon dioxide source 60 in fluid communication with the carbonation chamber 80 such that a selected volume of fluid from the reservoir 18 is mixed with carbon dioxide in the carbonation chamber 80, an individually packed single use disposable cup (fig 8) containing a flavour and having a sealed cover that covers and seals the flavour cup, and a piercing mechanism 210 for piercing the flavour cup and mixing the selected volume of fluid with the flavour within the cup and dispensing the blended fluid wherein the carbonation chamber comprises a pressure vessel of a fixed volume such that the carbon dioxide absorption can be controlled. The flow of the carbon dioxide into the carbonation chamber may be controlled by a solenoid and can be pulsed. A carbonated beverage maker including a central processing unit 22 and a carbonated beverage maker with the piercing mechanism (fig 10) comprising upper and lower vent holes and an upper shank and lower blade is also disclosed.
