I got my door handle wet and now my whole car is shorted out.

I spilled a sticky drink all over my door handle. I cleaned it with a pitcher of water. I must've gotten some water in the window buttons. Now my car won't start or even try to turn over. The courtesy lights, door buzzer or gauges won't work. I took the handle off the door to let it dry in the sun. I took the battery cables off to test the battery( brand new). It's fully charged. When I put it on the car and put the cables back on, the charger says error like it's shorted out somewhere. Shouldn't a fuse be shot before it gets to the battery? My uncle thinks it could be the alternator. Please Help!