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 having a weight-average molecular weight of 350 or more and less than 760. 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.