A beverage dispensing assembly for preparing and dispensing a beverage has a source of pressurized base liquid containing dissolved CO.sub.2, N.sub.2 or N.sub.2O and a gas pressure of at least 0.5 bar overpressure at 2 C. A beverage unit with a liquid flow path has a liquid inlet at one end in fluid communication with the base liquid in the base liquid source and a beverage outlet at an opposite end. An ingredient container receiving slot has an ingredient container installed so the contents are in fluid communication with the liquid flow path for mixing the contents with a base liquid in the liquid flow path. A gas pressure regulation unit has a pressure chamber in the liquid flow path downstream of the communication between the liquid flow path and the ingredient container contents. A gas ingredient inlet is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber.

A beverage dispenser uses-high ratio concentrates to mix on-demand beverages. The high-ratio concentrate is pre-mixed with an alkaline water to allow for improved blending performance in the final beverage. The beverage recipe may be customized by the user to suit personal tastes. Aspects of the beverage dispenser also may include the ability to dispense room temperature, chilled, heated, sparkling, or highly alkaline beverages. Operation of a user interface to receive a beverage order includes the ability to display and employ user interfaces present on both a display on the beverage dispenser and an application on a mobile device. In some aspects, both user interfaces may be used simultaneously to receive user input. Methods of dispensing a beverage using the beverage dispensing systems are also discussed.

A beverage dispensing valve includes a valve body with an aperture along the flow path, where an orifice can be removably positioned. The valve may feature multiple orifices with varying diameters. A flow restrictor is configured to regulate syrup flow, while a flow control lock is configured to limit adjustment of the flow restrictor.