Two different experimental techniques for preparing and analysing superpositions of Gaussian and Laguerre–Gaussian modes are presented. These involve exploiting an interferometric method in one case and using computer-generated holograms in the other. It is shown that by shifting a hologram with respect to an incoming Gaussian beam, different superpositions of the Gaussian and the Laguerre–Gaussian beam can be produced. An analytical expression connecting the relative phase, the amplitudes of the modes and the displacement of the hologram is given. The application of such orbital angular momenta superpositions in quantum experiments such as quantum cryptography is discussed.