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We demonstrate the generation of far-field propagating optical beams with a desired orbital angular momentum by using a smooth optical-mode transformation between a plasmonic vortex and free-space Laguerre–Gaussian modes. This is obtained by means of an adiabatically tapered gold tip surrounded by a spiral slit. The proposed physical model, backed up by the numerical study, brings about an optimized structure that is fabricated by using a highly reproducible secondary electron lithography technique. Optical measurements of the structure excellently agree with the theoretically predicted far-field distributions. This architecture provides a unique platform for a localized excitation of plasmonic vortices followed by its beaming.