Carbonated drink

Bubbles of carbon dioxide float to the surface of a carbonated soft drink.

Carbonated drinks are beverages that contain dissolved carbon dioxide. The dissolution of CO₂ in a liquid, gives rise to fizz or effervescence. The process usually involves carbon dioxide under high pressure. When the pressure is removed, the carbon dioxide is released from the solution as small bubbles, which causes the solution to become effervescent, or fizzy. A common example is the dissolving of carbon dioxide in water, resulting in carbonated water. Carbon dioxide is only weakly soluble in water, therefore it separates into a gas when the pressure is released.

Carbonated beverages are prepared by mixing flavored syrup with carbonated water, both chilled. Carbonation levels range up to 5 volumes of CO₂ per liquid volume. Ginger ale, colas, and related drinks are carbonated with 3.5 volumes. Other drinks, often fruity ones, are carbonated less.

See also

• Diet Coke and Mentos eruption
• Fizz keeper
• Industrial gas
• Nitrogenation
• Nucleation
• Pop rocks