A chilled beverage dispenser has a "holeless" bowl and uses a cradle evaporator to achieve cooling of the beverage. In one exemplary embodiment, the cradle evaporator comprises three panels--a bottom panel and two side panels, the side panels being bolted or similarly fastened to the edges of the bottom panel in a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the bottom panel. The bottom and side panels each define a continuous and sinuous channel, which carries a cooling medium. The dispenser bowl preferably is constructed of a thin-walled plastic, such that when the dispenser bowl is received in the cradle evaporator, heat transfer is achieved through the bottom wall and portions of the side walls of the bowl.