It probably is a bit more expensive than just like a glug of oil or something like that, but it's not hugely expensive relative to the flavour you get out of it.
Back in the paleolithic days, when food was scarce, you'd have had to gnaw through nearly a metre of chunky, fibrous sugar cane to get the same amount of energy you can now glug down via a single can of Coke.
If it were me, I'd also chop up some raw garlic and then marinade that in a generous amount of natural maple syrup and add it to the dressing, along with a generous glug of Dijon mustard.