Provided is an electrolytic solution including a nonaqueous solvent and an alkali metal salt. The alkali metal salt is dissolved in the nonaqueous solvent. The nonaqueous solvent contains a perfluoropolyether. The molecular ends of the perfluoropolyether are each an unsubstituted alkyl ether or an unsubstituted carboxylate. The perfluoropolyether has a repeating unit composed of a perfluoroalkyl chain and an oxygen atom. Also provided is a battery including the electrolytic solution, a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material that can occlude and release an alkali metal cation, and a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material that can occlude and release the alkali metal cation.