Systems, devices, and methods for multi-stage beverage preparation

A beverage system, comprising:

• a fluid feeder configured to discharge a fluid;
• an ingredient feeder configured to discharge one or more ingredients;
• a mixing chamber having a dispensing opening, the mixing chamber configured to receive the fluid and ingredients;
• a mixer configured to mix the fluid and the one or more ingredients in the mixing chamber;
• a dispenser configured to control dispensing from the mixing chamber via the dispensing opening, wherein the dispenser comprises a plug, and the mixer is coupled to the plug such that the plug moves with the mixer when the mixer undergoes linear motion and remains fixed in place when the mixer undergoes rotational motion;
• and
• a controller or control circuit programmed to perform operations comprising:
• receiving from a user a selection for a beverage;
• obtaining, based on the selection, information relating to a first portion and a second portion of the beverage, wherein:
• the first portion comprises a first amount of the fluid and a first amount of a first target ingredient;
• and
• the second portion comprises a second amount of the fluid and a second amount of a second target ingredient, the second target ingredient being different from the first target ingredient;
• generating, based on the obtained information, a first set of signals and a second set of signals for a process including:
• producing, based on the first set of signals, the first portion of the beverage, wherein the first set of signals comprise:
• a first fluid signal, the first fluid signal causing the fluid feeder to discharge the first amount of the fluid into the mixing chamber;
• a first ingredient signal, the first ingredient signal causing the ingredient feeder to discharge the first amount of the first target ingredient into the mixing chamber;
• and
• a first dispensing signal, the first dispensing signal causing the dispenser to allow at least some of a mixture of the fluid and the first target ingredient to be dispensed from the mixing chamber;
• producing, based on the second set of signals, the second portion of the beverage, wherein the second set of signals comprise:
• a second fluid signal, the second fluid signal causing the fluid feeder to discharge the second amount of the fluid into the mixing chamber;
• a second ingredient signal, the second ingredient signal causing the ingredient feeder to discharge the second amount of the at second target ingredient into the mixing chamber;
• and
• a second dispensing signal, the second dispensing signal causing the dispenser to allow at least some of a mixture of the fluid and the second target ingredient to be dispensed from the mixing chamber;
• and
• adding the second portion to the first portion, or a mixture comprising the first portion.