A carbonation device includes a container cap for mounting to an opening of a liquid container, a cartridge retainer in the container cap for locating a carbonating fluid cartridge relative to the liquid container, and a conduit extending from the cartridge retainer to an interior of the liquid container. The conduit includes a first conduit section defining a segment of the conduit and being a channel having a cross-section with a first area and a second conduit section extending from the first conduit section to the interior of the liquid container. The second conduit section is a channel having a cross-section with a second area smaller than the first area. A carbonating fluid released from a carbonating fluid cartridge retained in the cartridge retainer first passes through the first conduit section and then passes through the second conduit section prior to entering the interior of the liquid container.