The Thompson Okanagan region of southern British Columbia is well known for the various wineries located there. However, the area also has a number of distilleries who craft spirits unique to the area. Travelers on Canadian train trips can enjoy some Spirit Bear espresso-infused vodka from Urban Distilleries, or the fascinating Maple Liqueur from Maple Leaf Spirits.

Okanagan Spirits, an award winning distillery with locations in Kelowna and Vernon, crafts a variety of liquors and liqueurs distilled from fruit, as well as Grappa, a spirit distilled from the leftover stems, skins and pits of grapes used to make wine. The company also has won awards for their Aquavit, a drink steeped in Viking tradition made from a variety of berries and herbs.

Maple Leaf Spirits creates fruit brandies and liqueurs from cherries, pears, apricots and of course maple syrup. The first fully-licensed distillery in southern Okanagan, travelers on Canadian rail tours can enjoy a bottle of one of their unique beverages for around $40 CAD.

Urban Distilleries in Kelowna produces hand crafted vodka, gin, whiskey and rum using only local ingredients. For $2 CAD visitors can sample some of the fine spirits at the on-site bar, or purchase a bottle for about $45 - $53 CAD. Formed in 2007, the distillery names their clear liquors after British Columbia's mascot, the spirit bear. These unique black bears carry a recessive gene that gives them white fur, and are only found in Western Canada. Portions of the company's proceeds go to the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition dedicated to saving this rare subspecies.