Humza Yousaf, Scottish Minister for Transport and the Islands, invited Twitter followers to vote for one of three food and drink 'vices' he should forgo during the six-week fasting period and the orange fizzy beverage was selected - ahead of chocolate and crisps.
Mr Yousaf has pledged to give the money he saves on the drink often described as 'Scotland's other national drink (after whisky)', to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Catholic charity which supports persecuted Christians in Muslim-majority regions.
Nearly 2,500 people took part in the SNP member for Glasgow Pollok's poll.
He tweeted: "Think I'll join Christian friends doing Lent this year. Any money saved from not consuming my vice will go @ACN_Scotland who support persecuted Christians across the world."
Think I'll join Christian friends doing Lent this year. Any money saved from not consuming my vice will go @ACN_Scotland who support persecuted Christians across the world
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 13, 2018
So tweeps gimme a hand, what should I give up for next 40days?
I mean how hard can it be, I do Ramadan?
In another tweet, he said: "Should say reason I'm supporting @ACN_Scotland is because the persecution of Christians worldwide in some Muslim majority countries is something that deeply saddens me, and most Muslims."
Kate Higgins, special advisor to First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, also pledged her Lenten donations to ACN, referring to the "good cause" of religious freedom.
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