A vertical dispensing manifold for dispensing a beverage, the vertical dispensing manifold comprising: an input port for receiving a base liquid; a vertical shaft coupled to the input port ; and a dispensing nozzle coupled to the vertical shaft for dispensing a combination of the base liquid and one or more ingredients; the vertical shaft comprising: a hollow interior defined by a sidewall of the vertical shaft , and a plurality of orifices for introducing ingredients into the hollow interior , where each orifice is formed in the sidewall of the vertical shaft and is in communication with the hollow interior of the vertical shaft , wherein the hollow interior of the vertical shaft defines a vertical flow path for a flow of the base liquid from the input port , through the vertical shaft to combine with one or more ingredients, and to the dispensing nozzle , characterized in that the vertical shaft is a modular vertical shaft comprising a plurality of modules releasably coupled together between the input port and the dispensing nozzle , thereby forming the vertical shaft , wherein each module comprises one or more of the plurality of orifices formed in a sidewall of the module , the sidewalls of shafts of the modules forming the vertical shaft defining the hollow interior . wherein the hollow interior of the vertical shaft defines a vertical flow path for a flow of the base liquid from the input port , through the vertical shaft to combine with one or more ingredients, and to the dispensing nozzle , > an input port for receiving a base liquid; a vertical shaft coupled to the input port ; and a dispensing nozzle coupled to the vertical shaft for dispensing a combination of the base liquid and one or more ingredients; the vertical shaft comprising: a hollow interior defined by a sidewall of the vertical shaft , and a plurality of orifices for introducing ingredients into the hollow interior , where each orifice is formed in the sidewall of the vertical shaft and is in communication with the hollow interior of the vertical shaft , wherein the hollow interior of the vertical shaft defines a vertical flow path for a flow of the base liquid from the input port , through the vertical shaft to combine with one or more ingredients, and to the dispensing nozzle , characterized in that the vertical shaft is a modular vertical shaft comprising a plurality of modules releasably coupled together between the input port and the dispensing nozzle , thereby forming the vertical shaft , wherein each module comprises one or more of the plurality of orifices formed in a sidewall of the module , the sidewalls of shafts of the modules forming the vertical shaft defining the hollow interior . wherein the hollow interior of the vertical shaft defines a vertical flow path for a flow of the base liquid from the input port , through the vertical shaft to combine with one or more ingredients, and to the dispensing nozzle , > a hollow interior defined by a sidewall of the vertical shaft , and a plurality of orifices for introducing ingredients into the hollow interior , where each orifice is formed in the sidewall of the vertical shaft and is in communication with the hollow interior of the vertical shaft , wherein the hollow interior of the vertical shaft defines a vertical flow path for a flow of the base liquid from the input port , through the vertical shaft to combine with one or more ingredients, and to the dispensing nozzle , characterized in that the vertical shaft is a modular vertical shaft comprising a plurality of modules releasably coupled together between the input port and the dispensing nozzle , thereby forming the vertical shaft , wherein each module comprises one or more of the plurality of orifices formed in a sidewall of the module , the sidewalls of shafts of the modules forming the vertical shaft defining the hollow interior . <EOS>