A method of producing a carbonated beverage comprising a blend of water and syrup having a predetermined final carbonation level. The method includes the steps of: introducing CO2 into a flowing stream of a product blend comprising water, syrup and dissolved oxygen, such that CO2 is dissolved in the product blend； deaerating the CO2-containing product blend by introducing the blend into a vented atmospheric vessel, the interior of which is at ambient pressure with a headspace maintained above the surface of the liquid within the vessel, whereby dissolved oxygen is released from the product blend and vented from the vessel； pumping the deaerated product blend from the vessel, wherein the deaerated blend includes dissolved CO2 at an intermediate carbonation level less than the final carbonation level； and carbonating the deaerated product blend to the final carbonation level downstream of the vented vessel to produce a carbonated beverage for subsequent packaging. A system for performing the method is also provided, as well as a method of producing a beverage using nitrogen deaeration.
